Communicate How They Communicate

Voice mail, email, snail mail, notes, texting, blogs, Intranets, memos, letters, cards, e-cards, faxing, face-to-face, and phone calls.  Wow, that's a lot of different ways to communicate and I am pretty sure that is not an all-inclusive list. Do you have a preference? Do the people that you communicate with have a preference? I know I do and it can change depending on the subject, the convenience and the parties involved.

One of the problems with communication today is that we tend to use the communication medium that best suits the way we want to be communicated with.  However, we don't tend to give a lot of thought about the person or people we are communicating to. Communication could be greatly improved if we just understood and utilized the medium that people preferred without assuming that our way is the best way.

I have to change which system I use depending on who it is that I need to reach and for what. If I want something from my Godmother, I better pick up the phone. It's okay to leave her a message, if her machine isn't full. If I want to catch breakfast with my Mom, either a quick email or phone call to her cell should work just fine. Making plans with friends requires a little coordination using Facebook and a bit of lead time.

If you aren't getting the responses you are expecting from people, take a step back and analyze whether the communication medium you chose was what they prefer. If they rarely turn on their cell phone, don't leave a voice mail or attempt a text message. If their inbox is overflowing, your email will just end up in the pile. If they are Facebook junkies, a quick chat there might just be the thing to do. Though it might not be your favorite way to communicate, paying attention to the receiver's preferences will get the communication flowing.