But I thought you meant…

Have you ever assumed something is clear and then been surprised when the others in your team had no idea what you were talking about?

It is amazing how often that happens – regardless of the language being used. In my case, it tends to happen when I assume my conversation partner and I have the same perspective on a situation.

But what can we do to ensure that we are all on the same page? There are some tried and true techniques.

During sessions with my clients, I pay close attention to their body language and tone of voice - even when we are using online platforms. What is their facial expression telling me? Does their tone reflect understanding or is there hesitation?

To confirm we are all on the same page, I might ask them to paraphrase the information I have given them, or I might ask them an open-ended question that requires an understanding of the information we are talking about.

But what does that look like in a team when you are working on a project ─ regardless of the language you are speaking?

• Observe non-verbal cues – what is their body language saying? Are they engaged or are they checked out?

• Encourage paraphrasing – have a team member summarize the key points in their own words.

• Use open-ended questions – ensure understanding through discussion.

• Follow up in writing – a summary and a list of action steps provide a solid reference point for everyone.

As George Bernard Shaw wisely said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” When working in a multi-lingual environment which uses English as a common language, it is easy to “forget” the techniques we might use successfully in our mother-tongue.

Like anything, practice makes perfect. What techniques have you found effective in ensuring clarity within your teams? Or if you would like to work on this skill, get in touch and let’s see if we can get on the same page.