Improving 1:1 Communication

Is there someone you just can't seem towaiting for me to tell you how to change other
communicate with, who seems to be on a differentpeople, I'm afraid you're in for a disappointment.
wavelength, a different planet even? Read this articleWhat I'm actually going to do is get you to look at
to find out how to communicate with ease.your own contribution to this pattern.
'The person with the most flexibility in thinking andAsk yourself:
behaviour has the most influence on any interaction.' -* In what ways do I react every time with this
NLP presupposition.person?
As the boss concentrating on reaching your* How does the interaction start?
department's goals it can be easy to fall into the trap* Then what happens?
of focusing on how other people need to change in* Then what happens?
order to reach those goals.Continue asking this last question until you have
Is there someone with whom you need toworked out the complete pattern that occurs when
communicate regularly but who always leaves youyou try to communicate with this individual.
thinking you just haven't got through or made aWork out and recognise the parts you are playing
difference? They just don't seem to understand;which contribute towards and maintain the pattern.
their body language and attitude are all wrong; theyThen ask yourself:
attempt to appease you by saying yes and no in the* How could I break this pattern?
right places but then fail to take action or change the* What could I do differently?
situation. Or perhaps they argue with you; or back* If I put myself in their position for a moment, what
off and go quiet; or blame someone else. And theis causing their reaction?
same thing happens each time. It's a pattern.* What is the best way to approach this person to
Throughout these exchanges you are thinking:change the reaction I normally get from them?
* He's got to change* How does this person need me to react in order
* Why isn't she listening to me?for them to behave differently?
* Why doesn't he ever seem to understand?The quote at the top of this article is worth
* Her attitude is really getting through to merepeating. It can be a very powerful idea if you take
* Why can't he see the big picture I'm describing?it on board:
* Why doesn't she take action about this situation?'The person with the most flexibility in thinking and
If you identify with this scenario and you are nowbehaviour has the most influence on any interaction.