1.5 - About University

2. Information(gleaned from data)3. Interpretations(gleaned from theinformation)4. Conclusions/Evaluations(gleaned from yourinterpretations)You are unaware of yourpicking and choosing fromthe available data, and ofchoosing data to fit yourprior hypothesis.Already off the mark by poordata selection, you jump toand respond to unfoundedinterpretations. You make badassumptions.In the worst case, you drawpositive conclusions frompeople who support yourpower image and role as aleader, and negativeconclusions from those whodo not.❑❑❑❑❑❑❑❑❑❑❑Be attentive beyond “just the words.” Be aware of otherpeople’s nonverbals, and be aware of your own feelings.Work to increase your communication bandwidth. Be awareof only absorbing a small part of the data available in theconversation.Become familiar with your criteria for picking and choosingfrom the available data.Check back using active listening techniques [☛ 8.7 ActiveListening] to ensure that the information you’re receiving iscongruent with the information the sender intended.Be aware of criteria others may be using to pick and choose.Conflicts can be dealt with by having a metacommunicationabout what information you and the other person are takingin. [☛ 8.5 Metacommunicating]Be conscious of making interpretations and of whether ornot they are based on good information. [☛ 13.6 AttributionTheory]Check back by using active listening techniques to ensurethat your interpretations are congruent with the otherperson’s intent.Examine your own interpretation rules by reading andapplying the self-awareness tools in this book. [☛ 6.2Assumption Analysis, 8.7 Active Listening, 14.7 PersonalPreferences]Check back with others to see whether your conclusions arein sync with theirs.Get feedback from others on how well they think yourconclusions match with what they expected.Learn about how you draw conclusions, and evaluate yourskill by reading and applying the self-awareness tools in thisbook. [☛ See tool references above.]A POSITIVE COMMUNICATION CYCLENote: Many characteristics of the positive communications spiral depend upon:➠➠➠Metathinking—being aware of how you are processing information as you listen,Metafeeling—being aware of your own feelings and the feelings of others, andMetacommunicating—being able to talk about how you are thinking, feeling, andcommunicating.Level ofunderstanding1. Data❑❑❑Positive spiral criteriaIn addition to what people are saying, you are sensitive to their tones of voice, to stress signsin their bodies, and so on.You observe yourself observing the other, noting when you resist taking in other people’swords, your observations, and your own feelings.You are aware of your limited bandwidth of all sensory perception.234 SECTION 8 TOOLS FOR COMMUNICATION