There’s no question: Some people just aren’t going to be interested in what you’re saying, no matter what—and that’s their issue. But if people aren’t listening, or if you’re not connecting with them when you communicate, you shouldn’t automatically assume it’s their issue. It may very well be yours!
This article by Jared Lindzon for Fast Company addresses the specific issue of getting interrupted when you speak at work. It recommends that you skip feeling like the victim of rude co-workers and instead take control of basic things like:
Fine tuning your message
Focusing on presence and posture
Avoiding tentative or hedging language
Consistently displaying strong communication
Good advice!
It’s pretty common for my coaching clients who are in the middle of a bad situation to initially focus on the problem and what they think is wrong rather than on what they can do to improve their situation. I help them identify the things they can control. That’s why I like Lindzon’s article—it reminds you to look for ways in which YOU can take action to improve your results.
Are you communicating at work in ways that are less than effective? And have you been thinking that the problem is “the culture where I work,” or “my boss,” or “co-workers who don’t care”? You may not necessarily be wrong in your assessment, but make sure you help yourself by focusing on what YOU can do to make your communication more impactful. Who knows, you might even positively affect that culture, that boss, or those co-workers!
Guillermo Villar is principal coach with Cambio Coaching. He helps high-achieving individuals and teams communicate with intention to get the business results they want. If you’re interested in working with Guillermo, sign up for a free meeting to explore how he can help.