Communication is the act of sending and receiving messages. Sometimes messages are communicated verbally, with words, or nonverbaly, with body language. When communication is effective, the intended message is received. When communication is ineffective, messages are unclear. Describe a time when you had difficulty communicating a message. Why was the intended message not received properly?

Answer 1

One time I had difficulty communicating a message was during a team meeting at work where we were discussing a new project initiative. I had prepared a detailed presentation outlining the project's goals, timelines, and responsibilities. However, when I began to present, I noticed that some team members seemed distracted and others were interrupting with questions that veered off-topic.

The intended message was not received properly for a few reasons. Firstly, my presentation was too lengthy and contained too much technical jargon, which made it hard for some team members to follow. Additionally, I failed to engage the team effectively at the beginning of my presentation, which likely contributed to their distraction. Finally, my body language may have conveyed uncertainty; I was nervous about presenting to senior management, which could have affected how the team perceived my confidence in the project.

As a result, key points I wanted to convey were lost, and some team members left the meeting unclear about their roles and responsibilities in the project. This experience highlighted the importance of tailoring communication to the audience and ensuring clarity and engagement throughout the message. In future meetings, I made a conscious effort to simplify my presentations, encourage participation, and be more aware of my nonverbal cues.