In Part Two, we saw that one aspect of taking responsibility for effective communication was the realization that most people – in not focusing on understanding what you or I meant to say – will simply interpret our words based on their own belief systems. And, that despite this, it’s still up to us to be sure the correct message gets across. I quoted a mentor who told me, “Burg, when the shooter misses the target, it’s not the target’s fault.”

True. However, reader and good friend Heather O’Sullivan brings up an excellent point when she asks:

“I am big on taking responsibility, but we cannot

control the mindset of the listener, can we?”

Heather is absolutely right. It is also their responsibility to listen with an eye (well, I guess that would be an ear) toward understanding. Yet, they often won’t. However, before leaving it at that, let’s see what more we can do. I suggest that, if we want to put the odds that we’ll be correctly understood ever more in our favor, then we need to go even a step further.

One very effective idea is to, tactfully and kindly, clar