4 ways to make sure you are not misunderstood

Misunderstood? You thought you spoke or wrote clearly what you meant. You meant good but it didn’t get interpreted that way.

It was bad enough when we just had to worry about talking over the fence to our neighbor or on the dial phone in the kitchen. Today you can be create misunderstandings on a 100 platforms daily.

You can be misunderstood in milliseconds

Not only can you hurt the feelings of the person you were talking to by saying something that is misunderstood but it can be passed to 1000’s in a heartbeat. It can also be used against you months or even years later because your words don’t disappear on social media.

I find people who are so worried about their brand on their resume but they speak with wild abandon on social media.

4 ways to make sure you are not misinterpreted

1. Don’t write or speak without thinking first.
2. If you feel passionate about something, remember that there are other people who are equally passionate in the opposite direction and they may be your good friends, network or even your next hiring manager. Are you that passionate that you are willing to give up your future? If so, go ahead. Otherwise, think hard first.
3. If you are thinking about someone who bothers you with a personality trait, are you willing to insult others who are otherwise good people because you are angry at your father, mother, husband, wife, sister, or brother. Keep your own issues out of the conversation.
4. If you really want to blast someone, write it today on paper and if you feel the same way tomorrow, then post it.

Make a good first impression online too!

When I speak with job seekers, they are very concerned that they make the right impression at the interview but today you make an impression all the time.

If you do screw up, don’t beat yourself up. Hit delete if you can or just be more careful in the future.

Image courtesy of cuteimage at FreeDigitalPhotos.net