Here is the eighth in a series of insights from Michele DeMeo, former CS Director, HPN Editorial Advisory board member, FDA special employee, product developer and independent consultant. Michele can be contacted via LinkedIn.
One of the most important aspects of our work in sterile processing is great communication. Communication comes with its inherent challenges, but they can be mitigated with a few proven techniques. It is simply a matter of placing the right type of effort and energy into it.
Listed below are some suggestions to consider to improve your personal communication and that of your department with every other person, department or facility it may interface with:
- Understand your own communication style first. You cannot meet someone else where they are if you do not completely see and understand how you best deliver messages or receive them.
- Research different communication styles.
- Actively listen to others and try to absorb how they deliver information to you or a group.
- Go out of your comfort zone and try to present messages to others in a fashion that best suits their style.
- As you receive a message and it “feels” off-putting, wait a bit before you respond. You may not be truly “hearing” their actual intended message for you.
- Deliver messages and communication by different modes so as many people with their unique styles have a better opportunity to receive the correct message.
- Ask for feedback. This will help to ensure what you intended to be heard was in fact heard correctly.
Bridging gaps in communication is not a one-time event. It is an activity that should be weaved into our lives to the point that it nearly becomes routine. We owe it to ourselves and others to present the best we have to offer in a way it can be received in the best way possible. Besides, there are already so many other variables in life and in our daily work lives that are complicated, communication is the foundation that must be solid, so you can then focus on the rest!
Michelle DeMeo
Michelle DeMeo,CPSDT, CRCST is an independent consultant and retired HPN Editorial Advisory Board member.