溝通錯誤的危險
By Rick Box
我們常常會低估溝通中一個簡單的陷阱：「你所說的話夠精準嗎？」如果忽略了這一點，就會在商場上和人際關係中造成重大、甚至是災難性的問題。這是我從以前經歷過的一件事當中所學到的教訓。
之前我們機構舉辦了一次重要的商業午餐聚會，這個活動一開始進行得很順利，但是當客人們吃完沙拉後，我沒注意到正餐沒有送來。活動就要開始了，卻完全看不到任何餐點！
最後雖然午餐來了，客人的簡報也按計劃進行，但是午餐的延遲卻引起了我們團隊以及飯店員工極度的焦慮。直到後來我才發現合約寫的是午餐將在中午到下午2點中間舉行，而不是我們習慣的上午11點至下午1點舉行。
因為我的錯誤：沒有仔細閱讀合約中的時間，以致於飯店沒有在我們預期的午餐時間做好準備。有些人可能會覺得這只是一個溝通中的小錯誤，但它對會議的策劃者來說是很令人不安的，也有可能會破壞其他重大的事。合約中其他所有內容都是準確的：座位安排、預期的客人數量、菜單和其他細節，但是上菜時間這一個小小的錯誤很有可能會破壞一切。
當我們談到溝通時，通常會注意所說或所寫的內容，以及它的表達方式。卻很少注意到，我們沒有說出來的訊息。上面提到的因為雙方對午餐時間認知的差異， 差點對會議是否成功造成重大影響。我發現聖經對傳達錯誤的危險有非常好的洞見。
意識到所說的話和不說的話都會導致錯誤行為。在傳道書5章6節這樣說：「不可任你的口使肉體犯罪…」，注意細節，請人檢查你的工作可以幫助你避免痛苦的溝通錯誤，無論是口頭還是書面形式的。例如，我並非故意延遲用餐時間，但不刻意檢查卻可能會導致意想不到的後果。
應對可能發生的潛在錯誤。如果我決定更加勤奮地檢查，甚至是重新檢查重要的細節：例如關於我們和飯店協議的會議時間，就可以避免不必要的錯誤。「聰明人的心得知識；智慧人的耳求知識。」（箴言18章15節）。
認知即使很小的細節也可能導致失敗。在一本美麗的舊約聖經書中，我們讀到了一個明確的警告：「要給我們擒拿狐狸，就是毀壞葡萄園的小狐狸，因為我們的葡萄正在開花。」雅歌書2章15節。雖然這個警告的背景不是商場，但依然適用。因為我們在任何工作或生活中遇到的「小狐狸」可能看起來無關緊要，但如果沒有正確處理，它們可能會造成比我們想像中更多的破壞。
雖然上次午餐的時間延遲了，我們的活動仍然按計劃進行。但是，我溝通錯誤的結果卻有可能造成不良的後果，這是我永遠不會忘記的一課。
版權所有2018 非傳統商業網路(前身為純全資源中心)。節錄自和Rick Boxx的純全時刻，這本刊物主要是從基督徒的角度來探討職場上正直這個主題。如果希望知道更多關於這個事工或是想訂閱每日純全時刻，請上這個網站: www.unconventionalbusiness.org. Rick Boxx最新出版的書提供用五個關鍵的神的方法來建立企業。
反省與問題討論
「你所說的話夠精準嗎？」這句話對你有什麼意義嗎？ 你能想到過去遇到類似的傳達錯誤嗎？後來結果是什麼 ，造成很嚴重的影響嗎？最後又是如何解決的？ 我們如何積極主動確保不犯溝通上的錯誤呢？雖然錯誤有時候是不可避免的，當錯誤發生時，我們又應該如何回應呢？ 你能想到其他對個人或是企業產生很大的問題「小狐狸」嗎？
備註：如果您有聖經並希望閱讀關此主題的更多信息，請考慮以下段落：
箴言10章4節
手懶的，要受貧窮；手勤的，卻要富足。
箴言14章23節
諸般勤勞都有益處；嘴上多言乃致窮乏。
箴言16章21節
心中有智慧，必稱為通達人；嘴中的甜言，加增人的學問。
箴言19章11節
人有見識就不輕易發怒；寬恕人的過失便是自己的榮耀。
箴言21章5節
殷勤籌劃的，足致豐裕；行事急躁的，都必缺乏。
箴言22章3節
通達人見禍藏躲；愚蒙人前往受害。
箴言27章23-27節
27:23你要詳細知道你羊群的景況，留心料理你的牛群；
27:24因為資財不能永有，冠冕豈能存到萬代？
27:25乾草割去，嫩草發現，山上的菜蔬也被收斂。
27:26羊羔之毛是為你作衣服；山羊是為作田地的價值，
27:27並有母山羊奶夠你吃，也夠你的家眷吃，且夠養你的婢女。
PERILS OF MISCOMMUNICATION
By Rick Boxx
There is a simple principle that underscores a common pitfall in communications: “It is not what you say – it is EXACTLY what you say.” Failing to observe this can cause significant, even disastrous problems in business, as well as for relationships, as I learned all too clearly at an event I was overseeing.
It was a major business luncheon for our organization, and the event had gotten off to a good start. But as the guests began to finish their salads, I noticed that no lunches were being served. Even though our program was about to start, there were no meals in sight!
Our guests were eventually served, and the presentation went on as planned, but the delay caused considerable anxiety for our team, as well as for the hotel”s staff. Only later did I learn that I had signed contracts that clearly stated that our event was to be held from noon to 2 p.m., instead of our accustomed 11a.m-1 p.m.
Because of my error, failing to carefully read the documents for the events and not being able to correct the time difference, the hotel was understandably not prepared at our normal lunch time. We might regard this as a small miscommunication, but it proved extremely disconcerting to our meeting planners and could have disrupted an otherwise great event. Everything else on the contract was accurate – seating arrangement, number of guests expected, the menu, and other details. But a small miscommunication could have ruined everything.
When we talk about communications, we typically focus on what is being said or written, along with how it is expressed. However, what is not said – in this case, confusion over the expected schedule for our event – can be as critical for determining success or failure. I have found the Bible offers excellent insight into the perils of miscommunication.
Realizing that what we say or don”t say can lead to wrongdoing. In Ecclesiastes 5:6 we read, “Do not let your speech cause you to sin…” Paying attention to details, and having people check your work can help prevent painful miscommunications, whether they are spoken or in written form. My intent was definitely not to delay the meal service, but lack of intent can still lead to unintended consequences.
Responding to potential mistakes. If I had determined to be more diligent to check and even recheck important details, such as the obvious one about when we and the hotel agreed the meeting would be held, unnecessary inconvenience could have been avoided.“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out” (Proverbs 18:15).
Recognizing that even small details can lead to failure. In a beautiful Old Testament book we read an appropriate warning: “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom” (Song of Solomon 2:15). The context of this admonition is not the marketplace, but the idea still applies. The “little foxes” we encounter during the course of any workday may seem inconsequential, but if not attended to properly, they can create more disruption than we could ever imagine.
As it turned out, despite the delay in serving our guests, our event proceeded pretty much as planned However, the outcome of my miscommunication could have been very different, a lesson I never forgot.
Copyright 2019, Unconventional Business Network Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. To learn more, visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. His latest book, Unconventional Business, provides “Five Keys to Growing a Business God”s Way.”
Reflection/Discussion Questions
When you hear, “It”s not what you say – it”s EXACTLY what you say,” what does that mean to you? Can you think of a miscommunication you experienced similar to the one described here? What were the consequences of that – was the impact very serious? How was it resolved? How can we be proactive in ensuring that such miscommunications are avoided? Of course, mistakes will inevitably occur at times. When they do, what is the best way for us to respond? What other “little foxes” can you think of, relating to communications whether individually or corporately, that can create considerable problems?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Proverbs 10:4, 14:23, 16:21, 19:11, 21:5, 22:3, 27:23-27
