How often do you think about themethodyou use to communicate?
How often do you consciously decide to text someone rather than send an email?
Or ask for a face-to-face conversation rather than dashing off an email?
Or wind up in a sticky situation with someone who mis-read your tone on text?
So lets identify the levels of communication.
Most of us communicate through texting, emailing and chatting.
This is the first level of communication.
The amount of information you send through these mediums is mostly words, plus a few emoticons.
The second level of communication occurs over the phone.
Here, you provide words as well as tone.
So you increase the amount of information being conveyed.
Here are some examples:
Medium-importance conversations
For these, you want use words and tone.
Some examples:
These instances warrant a phone call to let the other person know whats happened.
You dont want to depend on their checking texts or email.
Pick up the phone and call.
As a physician, I choose Level 3 communication when I need to deliver bad news.
If you chose the wrong method, don’t panic.
Just take it up a level.
As soon as you realize there’s a conflict or miscommunication, take it up a level.
Let’s say you send a quick text and receive a surprising response.
While a quick text can seem efficient, it may create additional work to clear up misunderstandings.
(Keep it classy and do it in person … or at least over the phone!)
