When we talk about communication, we often focus on best
practices that foster engagement—from active listening
to body language. Equally important are some clear “don’ts”
for communication. Here are some don’ts and how to avoid them:

Don’t assume. Assuming that the other party
understands is a common pitfall in communication. Take care
to ensure you’re being understood. Ask for feedback and check-ins
for clarification during the conversation without being abrasive.
A way to do that is to “own” a possible miscommunication by saying,
“I may not have been clear. Please let me know what you think, I meant … ”

Don’t ignore issues. If you recognize that the
communication is not going well, pause to better understand why
this is the case and what could be lacking. Stop and regroup.
This will allow you to move forward and correct the issues.

Don’t underestimate clarity. Though not always
immediately noticeable, a lack of clarity can ruin your communication
and create problems later. Take the time to be clear. Use simple terms
and give your explanations and instructions more than once, even if it
seems redundant!

Don’t rely too heavily on electronics. Electronics are
great tools for quick-and-to-the-point memos. However, keep the context in
mind. For more emotional conversations, or ones that might be misconstrued,
face-to-face interactions are better!

If you’re able to keep in mind not only some powerful best practices, but
also the key mistakes to avoid, you’ll be an even better communicator!