Refusing interviews but posing for photos, a group of macaques living at the beach in beautiful Krabi, Thailand, clearly had life figured out. Monkeys are no lone wolves and even these primates know life’s creative solutions can come through collaboration.
Suddenly, several started a loud commotion and in the confusion, one leaped down from her hiding place in the trees and grabbed an unguarded gin and tonic, chugged the drink, slammed the cup down, and staggered
No ice?
back into the trees. Funny to watch since it wasn’t my lost beverage, I noticed they collaborated using a unique common language which sounded to me like a mix of Thai and Chimpanzee.
Do you use a common language with those you collaborate with? Or do you feel like you’re talking on a banana phone with nobody on the other end?
With Twitter, facebook, linkedin, blogs, email, sms, voicemail, fax, and ancient practice of talking in person, we all have preferred modes of communication and each mode has its own characteristics.
Are your messages getting through or do you hear: “I don’t use LinkedIn,” ”I never check voicemail,” or “What’s Klout?“ The first step for us to reach our audience in order to collaborate is to use a common mode of communication, but with so many choices our preferred mode seems different for all of us.
Have you experienced miscommunications from using mismatched technology? Do you have a favorite mode of communications? And what 
brand of banana phone do you answer ?
Take a moment and count to three before responding – one chimpanzee – two chimpanzees – three chimpanzees – Please tell me your favorite monkey story by commenting, twitter, emails…
Like a smart monkey, I like to adapt to the person I’m talking to, to the friend, to the family member or even a wider audience. If you’re talking and folks ain’t getting the message, then are you talking to them or only fulfilling your own needs? Assuring your messages come out of your head and in to theirs…then maneuvering down to their heart. Yeah they heard you, but did they receive it?
With some, you may have to ditch the tweets and even archaic methods like email 🙂 and actually go and visit them – this may cause you to inconvenience yourself and actually put some thought into your banana phone.
Reach them where they are and if possible and if they’re willing, do what you can to bring them up to another level.
David this definitely was the best post I read all week long. Good weekend to you and yours.
Jacob Yount recently posted..Listening Skills
good points Jacob – thanks for adding your insights.
Adapting includes adapting to your listeners preferred mode of communication and most importantly, as you said, are your messages “only fulfilling your own needs?” or the needs of your audience.
Communications is a two way street and the responsibility of both parties for a message to be delivered and received – Your post about listening skills complements this one http://jlmade.blogspot.com/2011/10/listening-skills.html and is worthwhile for everyone to read!
David Goldstein recently posted..Do you feel like you’re talking on a Banana Phone?
Well, I don’t feel like I’m talking on a Banana phone. Interesting article though, really enjoyed going through it. Keep up the good work.
glad your message is getting through Jason – thanks for commenting!
David Goldstein recently posted..Do you feel like you’re talking on a Banana Phone?
Offline I’m much more likely to get my point across because I’m face to face (and I’m quite good at reading body language). Online there isn’t the sensory input so it’s often a struggle to be understood. So, most of the time, I write the sort of stuff that, if it isn’t understood – it won’t matter. It’s one of the reasons I use humour so much.
Yes Val thanks for reminding us that even with all these channels to communicate, nothing is better than face-to-face – especially for important messages: in person helps us read all the signs and is often worth the security lines and flight times.
David Goldstein recently posted..Do you feel like you’re talking on a Banana Phone?
It is true you have to use what that person you want to communicate with uses. Sending a message to someone on Twitter who is only one once every two weeks isn’t going to work. A huge advantage is being knowledgeable about many different communication methods so you can always respond to someone in their preferred method of communication.
I agree with Val…face to face you get a better sense about someone in that you can see their facial expressions and body language. Another reason to be careful on things like Twitter where your intentions might easily be misread (like sarcasm). It doesn’t always translate as well as it does in person or with at least a voice attached. Some forms of communication can be easily misinterpreted.
I recently came across and app that reads tweets aloud – I wonder if they can design it to detect sarcasm and adjust the voice accordingly. thanks for responding Melinda, I’m not sure I would call it face to face communications, I’ve been guilty of sending emails to people sitting on the other side of the couch.
David Goldstein recently posted..Do you feel like you’re talking on a Banana Phone?
This is very interesting blog indeed! Such a nice content! Keep up the good work.
I really love monkeys.. I’ve been wondering if a could pet them here at home.. But my sister told me that it is quite expensive..
I love your article! It tells me to talk with sense here. Because if you do not, perhaps you will be talking to a banana.