What importance does your state of mind play in your communication interactions? Does it really make a difference if you are 100% focused on your conversation … on both sides of the conversation?
When we are preoccupied and have a conversation, we are less likely to be picking up on the cues the other person sends us when they are talking. Our responses are more likely to be tainted when are not fully engaged in our present conversation. Tainted either in a positive or negative way.
If you are preoccupied with something good that happened … you just made a big sale, or got a raise. How will that affect your concentration with others? Your attention span may be lessened, as you are still reveling in your success.
If you are preoccupied with something not good that happened …. You lost a big sale or you are feeling pressure from your boss. How will that affect your concentration with others? Your attention span may be lessened, and you also may be quicker to anger or irritability.
So what are you to do? How are you to leave these distractions out of your conversation, so you can keep your mind clear and make the right decision? Contrary to popular belief, your brain cannot multi-task. It is a physical and physiological impossibility.
- Mentally leave the irritants outside the room that you are in. You can, in your mind, toss them in the trash or hang them on a hook or the doorknob.
- Take a few minutes and write down the situation and what you are feeling. Journaling is a great way to get things off your mind and to see things in a clearer light
- Postpone the meeting for another time, when you are able to think more clearly
As a leader, you are showing respect for your staff. As a team member, others will appreciate and thank you.
Especially in stressful times, it isn’t what you said, it’s what they think they heard.
