Coaching Corner: !
By "Coach" Marilou Butcher Roth
Earlier this week, I was facilitating a training on communication and we were discussing some of the issues of our current technology in regards to our interpretation of either texts or emails. It has happened to all of us -- we read words -- just words, and decide from those words the intention of the sender.
One of the participants brought up a current situation she was having. At some earlier point, her client had mentioned that when someone placed an exclamation point at the end of the sentence, it indicated that the sender was yelling at the recipient. (Eek!!! I am the queen of exclamation points, so I certainly hope this is not true.)
The participant received a text from her client regarding the upcoming closing and at the end was, you guessed it, a big exclamation point. Not only did this symbol loom heavily at the end of the sentence but it was RED!!!!!
What a great opportunity for further discussion within the group. What did it mean? Was she in fact, yelling? Or might there be some excitement within this cryptic message? So, we went around the room to see just how each person there would interpret this and, just as you would imagine, there were several thoughts on what her client meant.
So, here's the thing -- CHECK IT OUT! If you receive an email or a text -- or even a voice mail and you are not sure of the meaning, ask the person. It's just that simple -- do not go into a story of what you think they mean -- just ask!! Then, everyone is on the same page and your communication is clean and clear! This is also true even during face to face conversations. Do not assume that when the person you are talking to makes a slight scrunch with their face that they are mad or bored or whatever you might think.
Get yourself into a new pattern of making sure that your own interpretations are accurate. Personally, I do not plan on eliminating my exclamation points. And, please know that these lovely symbols, in my world, have no element of yelling what so ever!!!!! But, if you are ever unsure...just ask me!
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
