There are definitely times when the moment someone speaks and another person responds, communication can break down.

We’ve all been there.

An in-person conversation, a phone call, or even a series of text messages, leads to a misunderstanding and all of a sudden all hopes for reaching an agreement or an outcome go right out the window.

What happened?

We filter out information that we read, see, and hear in the same way we filter out the leaves when we’re making a cup of tea. We do it because we only want certain stuff – i.e. the drink of tea, and not the tea leaves.

In business, you need to be aware that your patients, your team, and your referrers all have filters that could potentially be confusing the message you think you are delivering.

On the flip side, you also need to be aware that your own filters are helping you to make sense of the world – but it’s possible they are distorting the message your patients, your team, and referrers are trying to deliver to you.

There’s an NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) presupposition which states; “The meaning of my communication is the response I get”.

Our challenge to you is to look at the filters you may be using with a person you have difficulty communicating with.

Is there something from your current experience, your beliefs, your values, or your fundamental operating context that you may need to change or adapt, in order to communicate more effectively with that person?

Remember:  The meaning of my communication is the response I get

If you’ve been communicating with someone and not getting the responses you want – maybe it’s time to look at your filters.