Verification Techniques to Avoid Misunderstandings

Bridging the Communication Gap

In order to reduce the number of misunderstandings in our communication, we have to put ourselves in the other person's shoes and simply start asking.

If communication can be distorted at any stage, the only way to have good interactions is through constant and conscious verification.

These simple verification techniques will allow us to close the gap between intention and interpretation, thus avoiding a large number of conflicts.

By stopping assuming that we have been understood, we take an active role in the clarity of the dialogue, which prevents frustration and unnecessary stress.

It's about building a bridge of mutual understanding that guarantees that the message being sent is the same as the one being received, regardless of possible distortions.

The Sender Technique: "What Did You Understand?"

When you are the one communicating the message, once you finish, you can ask the other person what they understood of everything.

This simple question gives you the valuable opportunity to listen to what the other person has understood and compare it with your original intention.

If you realize that what they understood is completely different from what you meant to say, you have the opportunity to paraphrase and explain it in a different way.

You can use different examples or analogies that allow you to generate greater clarity in the other person's mind, ensuring that the message arrives correctly.

This tool gives the sender control over the accuracy of their message, allowing them to correct any deviations before they can cause a bigger problem.

The Receiver Technique: "This is what I understood, is it correct?"

When the situation is reversed and you are the one receiving the message, you also have the responsibility to verify that you have understood correctly.

You can tell the other person "what I understood is this, is it correct or am I understanding it wrong?", taking a proactive role.

At that moment, you give the person speaking the opportunity to immediately correct you if your interpretation was not what they meant.

This technique is especially useful when the information is complex or when the emotional