You all know DIRECT Communication when you experience it.You’re aware INDIRECT Communication exists, whether you were trained to be aware of it or not.I’m adding MISDIRECT Communication to the lexicon.
Direct communication is pretty clear though it can be abrasive or even offensive. Indirect communication is only clear to those playing by the same rule book, but it rarely is offensive – or at least many direct communicators wouldn’t register that they should be offended.MiSDIRECT Communication is when you actually end up communicating the exact opposite of what you’re trying to communicate. I’ve noticed of late in some organizational settings outside of my immediate context that some communicators have been so obviously fearful of backlash or reactions that in their attempts to manage the reactions and soften the blow or beat around the bush – that they actually end up affirming the exact opposite of what they really are trying to say or communicate.MISdirect communication seems to happen frequently to when there are power disparities and there is great fear of what is going to happen to you if you do tell the truth. So maybe many valiantly try to speak up, but end up shooting themselves in the foot.I also see MISdirect communication happen to in many resources and written mediums. Often times written content is focused on small or more focused issues, while the context or whole gets neglected. Sometimes I see articles and written content that is obviously trying to serve the bigger picture, but the paradigms and assumptions behind the thought and work don’t reflect that bigger picture. So some small time goals are accomplished, but they actually undermine the integrity of a larger and unified paradigm that gives context for the specific issue being tackled. Subtly and unintentionally they work against the vision of the whole that they think they are supporting. Kills me. Moments like those expose the character of an organization because you see the degree to which people are conscience of the whole or whether they can only see the parts that they think are manageable or easy to control.I’m naturally a direct communicator. I’m learning to appreciate indirect communication as I work in an Asian-American context. But I’ll never value or appreciate the art of MISDIRECT Communication unless I’m playing poker or something or I become a career criminal. But there’s a lot more misdirect communication that happens than the average observer might recognize.Any thoughts on why you think misdirect communication happens or where you tend to experience it the most – in yourself or from others?
