There are lots of articles written on the importance of effective communication, how it can enhance or disrupt relationships and ways to understand the role perspective plays in it.

Coaching clients with strong limiting beliefs can help them understand that these can affect their perspective on the messages they receive and damage their interaction with others. Through coaching they are able to become more aware of how these can filter the communications they give and receive, thus enabling them to work on ensuring that misunderstandings are reduced.

One thing which works extremely well to overcome the role of negative perspectives in communication is to suggest they say to themselves ‘I wonder what prompted that response?’

By being curious about what has caused the response you got from your communication – whether it is verbal or written – automatically detaches your personal assessment of what you think the message means and gently focuses on what the situation might be from the other person’s point of view.

Being curious means there is no judgement on the other person but a desire to ensure that your message was clear and accurate. It gives you time to consider how that person’s situation, and perspective, might have contributed to the response that you received and gives you the opportunity to continue to build a harmonious relationship.

Questions that might follow on from this might be:

• Could they be under extreme time pressures?

• Could they possibly be experiencing challenges or stress in other areas of their lives?

• Are they reluctant to make themselves vulnerable by being completely open?

• Are they fearful of the response their communication might have?

• How might this affect them?

• Have they understood my message correctly?

• Should I have given more information to put it into a better context?

Limiting beliefs, fear, anxiety and stress can all contribute in distorting the messages you are giving or receiving.

• Firstly you need to consider whether your message was delivered in the most effective way – was your body language and tone of voice congruent with the words you were saying.

• If the response was not what you expected, by considering some of the questions above you are able to consider the range of possibilities which might be driving that person’s response thus increasing mutual respect and understanding.

• By focusing on the other person helps reduce the effect that your own personal perspective has on filtering how their message was received.

For example, in the workplace communication plays a big part in building effective working relationships. A good manager must never lose sight of how much an individual’s private life can affect their performance at work. If a response was abrupt or not constructive, by asking ‘I wonder what prompted that?’ opens up a variety of other areas to consider such as workplace challenges or stress, or the possibility that issues occurring in other areas of the employee’s life may need understanding and support.

We all receive communication through a variety of positive or negative perspectives, depending on the situation. When we do our best to suspend any negative influences on how we receive messages we are much more likely to communicate clearly.

How about spending the day considering all the communications you receive from the other person’s perspective.

Ask yourself, ‘I wonder, what has prompted that response?’

Everyone who has qualified as a Coach with a recognised Coach training company should now take the opportunity to register. This will dramatically cut down on any misrepresentation that goes on within the industry. Many people have websites and call themselves a Coach but have no actual qualifications. The register will stop these people and raise the profile of genuine Coaching and how it can transform people’s lives.

President of the IIC Gerard O’Donovan said “the register has been administered by the IIC for the benefit of the world of Coaching and Coaching clients. It is also a great way for Coaches to get business as members of the public can search for registered Coaches in their area. It brings Coaching transparency at last.”

As a Member of the IIC, Have you published your details on the International Coaching Register, at no charge?

To do so:

Login to the IIC Members Area, and then select the ICR Register Edits menu option on the left hand side of the screen.

Create your entry by selecting:

Insurance - enter your Professional Indemnity Insurance details here. Training - enter the details of all the training courses you have completed here. Workshops - enter the details of all the workshops you have attended here. Accreditation - your IIC Accreditation details will automatically be included here. You also have the opportunity to enter the details of all the accreditations/credentials you have been awarded, as an independent verification of your Coach training and experience. Business Details - select or enter all types of Coaching you include in your Coaching Business/Practice. Organisation Membership Details - enter the details of all Business Organisations in which you hold a Membership -these could be other Coaching Bodies, Chamber of Commerce, or any type of organisation that is appropriate to your business. Display - do not forget to DISPLAY your details.Selecting yes your details will be displayed on the International Coaching Register. For IIC Accredited Coaches, your details will also be displayed on the IICs Coaching Referral programme.