The Impact of Low Exposition Trait in Communication: Misunderstandings at Work and troubles at Home
4 min read
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IDENTI3 trait measuring Exposition seen here.
Effective communication is the backbone of any successful relationship, whether in the workplace or at home. However, when individuals lack the ability to articulate their thoughts and emotions sufficiently and fluently—a skill known as exposition—misunderstandings can easily arise. This often leads to strained relationships, unmet expectations, and a breakdown in trust.
In my coaching sessions, individuals with low exposition often experience miscommunication, perceived secrecy, and challenges such as difficulty in fostering teamwork or reluctance to take on new projects. Their communication style is hard to interpret due to a lack of clarity and explicitness.
Coach Herjeet
Let’s explore how low exposition can cause significant miscommunications in both professional and personal settings.
Miscommunications at Home: The Unintentional Broken Promise
Imagine a scenario where a parent promises their child a special outing over the weekend. The child, filled with excitement, looks forward to this event all week. However, as the weekend approaches, unforeseen circumstances arise, making it impossible for the parent to keep their promise. While the parent assumes that the change in plans is understood, they fail to clearly communicate this to their child. The child, who has not been informed, feels disappointed and betrayed, believing that their parent has broken a promise.
This situation could have been avoided with better exposition. If the parent had taken the time to explain the change in plans and reassure the child, the disappointment could have been managed, and trust maintained. Instead, the lack of clear communication leads to hurt feelings and a potential rift in the relationship.
In my coaching journey, I’ve noticed an intriguing pattern when it comes to those with low exposition. Many of these individuals trace this trait back to childhood, where they often lacked opportunities to speak up or felt unheard by their caregivers. Growing up in such environments, their voices were either overshadowed or dismissed, leading them to become less expressive over time.
Coach Khyla
Interestingly, as they matured, some found alternative ways to express themselves. For instance, a number of individuals with low exposition turn to forms of non-verbal self-expression, like getting tattoos. It’s as if they’re communicating their story or identity in a visual way when words don’t come easily. This creative outlet becomes a means for them to reveal parts of themselves that they may struggle to articulate verbally.
Miscommunications at Work: The Assumed Understanding
In the workplace, low exposition can have equally damaging effects. Consider an employee who believes they have communicated a task effectively to their colleagues. They may have provided some details, but not enough to ensure that everyone is on the same page. As a result, the task is either not completed as expected or is delayed, leading to frustration and inefficiency.
In this scenario, the employee may be unaware of their role in the miscommunication, thinking they have done enough to convey their message. However, the lack of thorough articulation means that their colleagues are left with gaps in understanding, resulting in mistakes or delays. This not only affects productivity but can also damage working relationships and trust within the team.
I recently conducted a team training session for a leadership group of five individuals. Interestingly, four out of the five team members had low exposition, which contributed to their main challenge: communication.
Coach Usha Raman
They recognized that their limited expressiveness was hindering effective dialogue within the team and across the organization.
The training focused on addressing these communication gaps and finding practical solutions to enhance clarity and openness in their interactions, both internally and with their broader teams.
A leadership team composed entirely of individuals with low exposition had both advantages and disadvantages:
Pros:
1. Their meetings were efficient and quick.
2. There was minimal internal politics within the leadership team.
3. Other team members felt heard and acknowledged.
Cons:
1. They struggled to effectively communicate everything needed within the leadership team. During our session, we brainstormed organizational systems and templates to encourage better communication.
2. Certain messages to other team members weren’t conveyed as clearly as they could have been.
3. It was mistakenly assumed that their reserved nature meant they didn’t enjoy socializing, though some actually had high sociability scores.
4. Innovative ideas and changes weren’t promoted as strongly, leading to challenges in securing company-wide buy-in.
The Importance of High Exposition in Communication
Exposition is more than just sharing information; it is about ensuring that the information is understood in the intended way. This requires clarity, detail, and empathy. When individuals take the time to articulate their thoughts fully, they reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings and foster stronger, more trusting relationships.
In both examples above, the key issue is not a lack of communication, but a lack of effective communication. The parent and the employee both communicated, but they did not do so in a way that ensured their message was fully understood. This gap in communication can lead to significant consequences, from damaged relationships to decreased productivity.
Building Stronger Communication Skills
By prioritizing exposition in communication, we can minimize misunderstandings and build stronger, more resilient relationships both at work and at home. This not only enhances trust but also creates an environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and understood.
Need help in understanding your Communication Style? Take the IDENTI3 Questionnaire here.
Read our article that further explains Exposition here.
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