Watch Your Holiday Blind Spots

We all have communication blind spots. They show up more when we lack focus, are tired, frustrated, sad or stressed. As you know, during the holidays all this can very easily and more quickly bubble to the surface.

Self assess yourself below and amp up your awareness of your blind spot management opportunities with family, friends and workers.

The self-assessment below is just a subset of the MANY dimensions of blind spots.

1. Do you communicate in a manner that is easiest for you rather than what will resonate better  with others? 

2. Do you actively monitor yourself for owning too much of the conversation “real estate”? 3. Do you use too much “I” vs “we”? 

4. Are you dead set on being “right”? 

5. Do you routinely think to yourself, “that other person is just wrong”? 

6. Do you assume that you think you know what someone might say in advance? 7. Do you assume that others should know what you are thinking? 

8. Are you frequently multitasking while others are speaking? 

9. Do you actively manage your emotions when speaking? 

10. Do you consistently manage your non verbal’s?

Tips: Get enough sleep. Buddy up with someone who can observe your behaviors. Practice getting personal recharge time in. Do some reflecting and/or journaling. If a conversation gets heated-STEP AWAY. If there are people that routinely push your emotional buttons, you don’t have to avoid them, BUT, certainly can limit the amount of time with them. The choice is YOURS to make.