We get so busy at work sometimes that misunderstandings between coworkers can happen quite easily with one of the parties never realizing anything actually happened. Something is said as one person is passing by another, never intending for it to be taken seriously by the other, but who knows where the other person was at that moment in time and how they perceived what took place. This happens more often than we would like and if we do not clear the air quickly it could turn into a dirty situation. What is the best way to “clear the air” when we either feel we have been misunderstood or that possibly we have been the one to misunderstand something? Go directly to that person as soon as you can and ask either “did you understand what I meant when I said …….” Or “I am not sure if I understood what you said about…….” Clear the air right away, because what can happen if you do not? You may ponder about what you think was said for days, you may form opinions about this person that are based on untruths, and it certainly can effect your work because things like this can consume our thoughts. I always appreciate when someone comes to me to clear the air about something I said or did as it gives me the opportunity to explain what I really meant or apologize for something I may have said that came out wrong. Once the air has been cleared we both can feel better because the situation has been handled, the misunderstanding was acknowledged and we can focus on moving forward. Many times when simple misunderstandings happen people allow them to brew for too long and this is when the air gets polluted, the more time that passes the less clear the situation can be remembered, especially if one party doesn’t even know what happened. It’s time to think ecologically about miscommunication in the office and clear the air quickly so everyone can breath better.
8/16/2012
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