Failure to Communicate

 

It is regrettable how many failures are direct results of a breakdown of communication. Most failures are due to a failure to communicate, and this is rather troubling.

Our lives can become far too busy for us to fully pay attention to the things we say. Things aren’t always conveyed in the ways that they are meant to be.

 

When something appears to be going well, and suddenly you’re faced with the notion that you’ve failed someone somehow, how that does that situation usually end? There are too many situations in which awkward communications have ended what should be profitable ventures and even entire relationships.

 

How can this failure to communicate be avoided? Simply put, it can’t be. What can be controlled is fear of failure. If something doesn’t sound right, don’t let it fester. This is something that we are all guilty of: not simply coming out and trying to resolve a misunderstanding. We all know how misunderstandings can lead to some serious issues later on if they’re not resolved in a timely and cool-headed manner.

 

For example, many pieces have been written where a good deal of the commentary will be extremely critical of the work. Sometimes, the author is gracious and willing to be flexible in others’ perspective of the piece. However, as authors, we can become very proud of our work. Sometimes, we respond in a snarky and/or sarcastic way that cause a major issue. The commentators can then grow defensive and things can be blown way out of proportion until one side or both end up looking quite bad. This, of course, happens in regular human conversation, as well, when emotions get in the way.

 

Emotions are pesky things. They can be useful, but when they lead down roads that can lend themselves to failures in communication, they must be controlled. If you have something to say that you don’t want to put right out in public, write it down; perhaps show it to someone that you trust. Too often things are posted directly online or otherwise put out in the open that cause more of a firestorm than they were meant to intend.

 

Even the most talented individuals experience serious breakdowns in communication due to some poor emotional, spiritual, or mental state. It’s all a part of being human. But as has often been said, it’s important to let cool heads prevail. Just don’t even let it bottle up, or otherwise it can only lead to a definite failure of some kind.