Scott,
You have hit on a recurrent notion. Once again, I'll say what I've
said in many forums previously...
Communication depends upon the RECEIVER, not the SENDER.
If I don't comprehend, don't translate, don't filter your words and
ideas so as to "mirror" what you have said or presented, we simply
don't (and won't) communicate until I am able (or willing) to do
so.
A good/bad example of this is "good" vs. "poor" jazz. Good jazz
happens when each individual is not so intent upon doing "his/her"
thing that they don't hear anyone else playing, but rather listens
intently for complementary ideas and themes and provides his/her
"offering" as a smooth transition to another level, another key,
another theme of understnding, open to each player.
Poor jazz occurs when one is so tied up with him/her self that they
are rehearsing in their heads until the chance comes for them to
play what they have been rehearsing; usually too loudly, far afield
from the themes preceeding etc.
People are constantly playing jazz in their activities; some of it
is good, some is not. The challenge is always to "play" better. In
this way conflict becomes a stepping stone to better themes.
--Regards, John Constantine Rainbird Management Consulting http://www.trail.com/~rainbird
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>