What Signals Are You Sending?

What Signals Are You Sending?

by elainesuess

Not long ago, I was driving to a lunch meeting in my Pontiac G8. It was my intention to move into the right lane of the Norwood Lateral, but before I moved, I used my nifty “three blinks and I’m done” signal feature. That’s: 1) Gently push my turn signal lever up.  2) The signal blinks three times. 3) It magically, automatically shuts off.

I know that feature is not new to many of you, but when I made the Pontiac switch from my Grand Prix last year; I was pleased to find that feature, and I use it all the time.

The idea of signaling got me thinking

The driver of the Ford truck in front of me apparently didn’t have that feature, or maybe didn’t have a signal lever! I realized he was coming into my lane, and I applied the brakes in time…but the idea of the “turn signal” or “signaling,” got me thinking about one of my favorite subjects – Communication!

Beyond the car
Taking the thought of “signaling” beyond the car – I wondered if there might be a correlation between the people who don’t use signals in their cars, and those who do – as it relates to communication!

I’m a Communicator, I know it, and so says my Strength Finders assessment! I always want to make sure people:

• know what to expect
• know what the objective is
• know what the process is
• know what the metrics are
• know what the next steps are

And from a coaching standpoint for a communication bedrock, it’s all about knowing:

  • character strengths
  • strengths
  • communication style

That level of self knowledge and communication helps me daily in both my business and personal life.

And, I almost always use my turn signal. Doesn’t matter if I can’t see cars or people around me. I figure it’s best if I communicate, so I signal!

Prevent the fender benders

Are people who don’t use their turn signals not good communicators? I don’t know the answer to that question.

What I do know is that when we communicate clearly – either on the road, in an office or at home – we can be “fender bender free.”

I love helping people create “safe driving plans” through coaching and consulting.

As Mick Jagger says, “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.”

I’m not exactly sure what he’s referencing in that quote, and I’m not sure I want to know, but it works for communication, and I’m all over that!

How do you steer clear of “communication fender benders,“ and do you use your turn signal?


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