Much of the skill in effective communication lies in recognising the problem areas one
have just identified. Effective communication is achieved as much as anything by
avoiding these traps. Positive approaches are, however, also necessary. One positive
approach is that of coaxing information out of people.
Coaxing information
It may be necessary for managers to work hard at this, particularly if people feel inhibited
about discussing a particular issue. The lament ‘why didn’t someone tell me’ can be as
much a condemnation of a manager’s lack of skill in developing effective channels of
communication as a condemnation of others for keeping him in the dark. It can be very
hard for those in authority roles to realise the difficulty that others may have in
communicating with
them. The authority figure may feel totally relaxed and uninhibited and not appreciate that
perhaps the very factors which create his security create difficulties for others. The
proprietor of a business may feel totally self¬confident and secure and be amazed to
find out, if he ever does, that people who are very dependent on him are reluctant to tell
him anything unpleasant. The same problem can be encountered by parents with their
children. They may forget what it was like to be a child and be blissfully unaware of many
of the thoughts and anxieties that their own children have and see any suggestion to the
contrary as quite preposterous.
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