Communication Skills for People Under Pressure
Communication Skills for People Under Pressure
A recent study showed that more than 50% of companies surveyed are undergoing major changes MOST of the time, and two out of three people feel constant uncertainty and ambiguity in the workplace.
The indicators below tell you if you’re balancing focus and flexibility, force and frivolity, seriousness with humor.
WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH – THE TOUGH USE HUMOR
Most of us are NOT engaged in physical battle, so instead of “tightening up” and “slamming through,” you need to throw more time, money, muscle and energy at the problem. How about “lightening up” and asking your team to look for an easier way? Who said it has to be hard?
ARE YOU NOTICING OTHER PEOPLE?
If the situation at hand seems like a joke, perhaps you’re half way there. To prevent “hardening of the attitudes,” notice the absurdity in it and notice how other people can play a role in attacking the problem rather than attacking each other.
CAN YOU MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE?
By understanding and letting them know you got it, gets you out of isolation and it clears the runway for faster results. It’s what we call “go slow to go fast.”
RESPONSE-ABLE VS. RESPONSIBLE
The best way to manage and lead change is to identify areas of shared responsibility and get to an agreement about consequences we all want to avoid such as perpetuating past problems. Rehashing the past is pointless and an energy drain.
IS LEARNING HAPPENING?
There is the easy and hard way of learning things. Effective business relationships are based on learning also known as continuous improvement. Do you give and get feedback easily? Are you generally open, non-defensive, willing to listen, understand and use what you hear? If someone points out that you made a mistake, can you see your customers, co-workers and boss as learning resources?
These indicators will greatly assist you when pressure exists and from the results of this survey, that is pretty much all the time. Being able to perform under pressure is a trait most employers would describe as invaluable!
Pamela Day
Pamela@Zdaya.com