Tip: A Game of Catch - Dr. Loren Ekroth

Tip: Are You an Intruder?

The basic conversation structure in 1 to 1 exchanges is like a game of catch.

The rules are simple: Catch is a ball game played with two or more people that involves tossing or throwing a ball of any kind back and forth between the players.

For the game to be satisfying, even fun, requires that the players

Another way of saying "back and forth" is to complete the loop between communicators, even if your conversation is electronic, as with email. Your toss-back is an acknowledgement that you received the message, even if you send only a simple "OK, thanks" response.

I am puzzled why many people don't follow the basic rule of this game, which is acknowledgement ("OK, I got it"), then "Now I'll send my response; here it comes." If they don't express this meaning clearly, the original sender will be in mystery, wondering if s/he should toss the same message or even quit the game.

In professional meetings I attend I am sometimes asked "Please send me that special report you mentioned." So I send it to them as they requested, but too often I get no response. Nothing. No acknowledgement, not even a simple "Thanks." Grade? D-minus.

Incomplete loop = incomplete communication. My counsel: Complete the loop.