The communication habits and styles of other people can be awfully irritating. It’s never you and me. It’s always someone else.
That’s the consensus in my training programs when I ask people about communication hang-ups, quirks, and pet peeves. OK, I admit I’m certainly guilty of a few (not saying which ones). How about you?
Complete this sentence: “I get annoyed with other people and their communication habits when they …”
1. Interrupt me.
2. Finish my sentences.
3. Fail to look at me.
4. Chew gum loudly.
5. Type on the computer while we’re on the phone.
6. Mumble on a voicemail message.
7. Lack clarity in project directions.
8. Write their “out of office” message with spelling errors.
9. Complain, criticize, complain, criticize…
10. Say their phone number so fast on a voice mail that I can’t get it after replaying it seven times.
11. Ask me how I am and their facial expression clearly reveals they aren’t listening and don’t truly care.
12. Keep repeating information and making conversations and correspondence painfully long.
13. Inject nervous giggles or laughter into conversations that simply aren’t funny.
14. Forget to say their name in a voice mail message.
15. Try to impress me by “topping” whatever I say.
16. Get distracted with their gadgets and technology in meetings, conversations, and networking events.
17. Talk too fast or too slow.
18. Give wimpy handshakes.
19. Send a three-page email when one paragraph would suffice.
20. Plan lengthy meetings with no agenda, and then order food.
21. Speak louder to people with accents.
22. Deliver presentations in a monotone voice.
23. Eat while on the phone.
24. Call people out (in social media) in public instead of sending a private message.
25. Forget to update their voice mail to let people know they are on vacation for two weeks.
The red flags are up my friend. What can you do to improve your communication?
Source: [PR Daily]