Drive by communicating
How do you rate your communication skills?
Most people would probably say that they have pretty decent communication skills. And they could be right. Of course, they could also practice drive by communicating, which is not so good.
Does the following scenario describe you at work?
You need to give something to a co-worker, so you breeze by their desk and drop off some paperwork. You tell them what you need and then you are on your way back to your desk.
Or, do you go over to their desk, start off with some small talk, maybe ask about their day, kids, etc. Then you mention what you need, which was your reason for coming to their desk. And you close the conversation with more small talk before going back to your desk.
If the first scenario is more characteristic for you then you, my friend, are a drive by communicator. This type of communicating is not just limited to workplace communications either. Chances are, if you are a drive by communicator at work then you are a drive by communicator at home.
So what, you might be thinking. You’re a busy person with a lot on your plate. If you stop to have an engaging conversation with everyone that you have to talk to then you might not never get everything done that you need to get done during the typical day.
But how do you think the people feel that are on the receiving end of your drive by communicating?
Well, they probably don’t even get a chance to form any thoughts until you have breezed on by them since you are in and out before they know it. They might be upset because you were so short with them. They might think that you are rude. They might think that you do not like them. They might think that they don’t like you. If it is your loved ones then they might be feeling hurt. The question is, how do YOU feel when you are on the receiving end of drive by communicating?
Drive by communicating isn’t really communicating at all. Unfortunately most, if not all, of us do it at least some of the time. Especially in the workplace.
If we are conscious of it though we can choose to be more effective communicators.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:08 am
I agree, “drive bys” is often very ineffective communication. Especially, if you are manager asking something of someone, if you can at least acknowledge their existence for 20-30 seconds you have a much better chance of them doing a good job for you and not bitching about you behind your back.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:09 am
By the way, nice blog you have here, I just added you to my reader!
September 28th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Exactly Kyle. Drive bys can equal lots of grumbling.
Thanks for the kind words & feel free to comment more in the future!
September 28th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Umm.. *blush* I do drive-by requests. But I’m not mean about it because when I DO sit down with them, I do talk about their day and their life - it isn’t ALL business with me…. but sometimes you’re on a project deadline and you don’t want to tie up their time or yours.
I also just drop by (when I know it’s okay), and shoot the breeze.. but sometimes you just can’t spend that kind of time chatting
October 1st, 2007 at 1:56 pm
I think we all are guilty of it at times.