Communicator
Whether communication is oneway
or two-way, oral or written, it
is a highly complicated process of
interaction. Realistic leaders should
bear in mind two powerful and subtle
factors that are present in every
interaction between human beings:
• We always communicate at
two levels:
1. topic or task level
2. emotional or feeling level
• The personality – the self
– is inextricably involved
and influences what is said
and heard. We are constantly
transmitting information about
our self-image, our needs, our
values, our expectations, our
goals, and our perception of the
other person.
With this in mind, let us look briefly
at some guidelines that will help us
8 – AR Handbook
to deal with common barriers to
communication:
1. When we possess a piece of
information, take an action,
or make a decision, many
communication barriers can
be avoided if we will ask three
simple questions:
a. “Who should know about
this?” In deciding with
whom to communicate, it is
often helpful to consider:
• Those affected by the
information, action, or
decision
• Those who will have to
implement the action or
decision.
b. “What part of the
information that I have does
the other person need to
know?”
c. “When does this person
need to have this
information? Right now, or
can it wait? If it can wait, for
how long?”
2. Recognize that people find it
very difficult to say to another
person, ”I don’t understand
what you are saying to me.”
It is seldom useful to give
information or instructions to
another and then to ask, ”Do
you understand?” Most people
will nod their head and say,
”Yes.” To do otherwise is to
admit either that you weren’t
listening attentively or that
the speaker was not clear. For
example, when delegating a task
to another, it is preferable to
give one part of the instructions
or information and then to get
feedback to see if you are being