Avoid framing opinions as facts

Communication is more productive when you avoid framing your opinions, ideas, and reactions as facts. Rather than saying, “This project is a not working,” try, “I am very concerned about where this project is going.”

And try to avoid assertions (“this is how you do it”) that set up a cycle of judgment and defensiveness. Instead, say, “I would do it like this, and it’s worked in the past.”

Communication is key to being a valued contributor. But it isn’t easy to communicate effectively. This is particularly true in complex organizations where there are many voices and thus where harmony is needed, but where dissonance is often the norm.

For more, see our entire article here.