Small misunderstandings can sometimes morph into larger misconceptions, which can then snowball into full-blow falsehoods that ultimately erode trust, credibility and transparency. A small perception gap can significantly impact performance down the road. The disconnect between what you want to say and what is actually said is what Anne Loehr, author of A Manager’s Guide to Coaching: Simple and Effective Ways to Get the Best from Your Employees, calls as the “Perception Gap.”
She suggests that we structure clarity into our process in order to avoid it:
- At the beginning of a call or meeting, state: “My intention for this meeting/call is X.” That way, the team or team member can frame the meeting content within the stated intentions.
- At the end of the meeting or call, ask for feedback by saying “My intention for this meeting/call was X. How did I do?” This reiterates your intention to the team, and creates a welcoming environment for clarifying questions.
- Listen carefully to the reply to see if there is a Perception Gap.
Be aware of how you are communicating, and with whom. Get to know your teammates’ communication styles and aim to communicate in a manner that they are more likely to receive accurately and positively. Remember that simple conversations can have a negative impact on not just performance, but on relationships as well.
.svg){kind=small}
