Have you ever engaged in a debate about the colour of an object? Is it red, pink, orange or fuchsia? It seems that each of us see a slightly different shade or tone.

Our perception of colour is distorted by how our brain perceives and relates to each colour.

Then there is the language barrier. We simply do not have enough words to describe the exact colour of any given object.

What if we are experiencing the same problems in the way we are communicating with the people around us?

We all played the game “broken telephone” or “chinese whispers” when we were children, and the same is true regardless of age. The way a message starts is inevitably not the same message when it reaches its final destination.  

The question then becomes, how we are communicating and how is our message being heard? This is particularly important for people who form part of teams or individuals in leadership roles.  

When communicating, it is imperative to use language the other person understands and that the essence of our message is heard.

Reducing confusion and increasing certainty leads to a more productive workspace, happier teams and improved relationships with the people around us. Ensuring that we are delivering targeted messages will not only help to keep clear communication channels but also influence communication between other team members.  

If we are able to nurture and create an environment where individuals speak their minds and listeners hear the intended message unobstructed by personality we would begin to have a work environment where individuals were working together toward common goals.  

New ideas and fresh perspectives would not be seen as undermining or criticism but rather as an opportunity to create a better product or service. Individuals within a team would feel that their input and ideas are valuable and that they were adding to the success of the team.  

More businesses would have teams working in a state of constant innovation and collaboration, refining and redefining products and services. This way of working will keep companies ahead of the curve.  

Effective communication is an imperative if any business intends on having engaged, highly productive and happy employees.

GETTING IT ACROSS
There are five core personality types and similarly there are five basic corresponding languages.

Once each person’s language has been assessed and recognised, we are then equipped to communicate in languages that we each understand.

This is the beginning of working relationships that are more fulfilling and more rewarding.

We all want to live and work in environments that nurture our individualism, build on our strengths and bring us together into a harmonious synchronisation that gives us a purpose and a place in the world to call our own.

Angie Agrella is the the director of Destination Wellbeing.