How communications break down

What the manager said

What the manager meant

What the subordinate heard

1. I’ll look into hiring

another person for your

department as soon as

I complete my budget

review.

We’ll start interviewing

for that job in about three weeks.

I’m tied up with more impor-

tant things. Let’s forget about

hiring for the indefinite future.

2. Your performance was below par last quarter. I really expected more out of you.

You are going to have to try harder, but I know you can do it.

If you screw up one more time, you’re out.

3. I’d like that report as soon as you can get it.

I need that report within the week.

Drop that rush order you are working on and fill out that report today.

4. I talked to the boss but now, due to budget problems, we’ll be unable to fully match your competitive salary offer.

We can give you 95% of that offer, and I know we’ll be able to even more for you next year.

If I were you, I’d take that competitive offer. We’re certainly not going to pay that kind of salary to a person with your credentials.

5. We have a job opening in Los Angeles that we think would be just your cup of tea. We’d like you to go out there and look it out.

If you‘d like that job, it’s yours. If not, you can stay here in Denver. You be the judge.

You don’t have to go out to LA, if you don’t want to. However, if you don’t, you can kiss goodbye to your career with this firm.

6. Your people seem to be having some problems getting work out on time. I want you to look into this situation and straighten it out.

Talk to your people and find out what the problem is. Then get with them and jointly solve it.

I don’t care how many heads you bust, just get me that out. I’ve got enough problems around here without yours.