At different phases in life, we all face tough challenges. But how we utilize those opportunities to learn and grow will instil confidence in us and make us stronger. Soon after completing my bachelor’s degree, I started working in a manufacturing company. It was a new beginning of an adventurous life with lots of learning.
I was once asked by my supervisor to explain a particular document related to a vendor. It all started well but soon I realized that my supervisor was not connecting to my explanation. The discussion paused for a while and he gave me an advice which changed the way I address people and also improved my communication skills. The advice was “to understand the audience”, prepare and speak accordingly. It would be of no use if a person explains in technical terms to a layman or vice versa. Managers would generally be busy and would like things to be explained in a short and crisp way. My explanation that day focussed on the things that were going right at a particular vendor and centred around my learnings. But what was expected out of me was to analyse the performance of the vendor and highlight the things that would pose serious concerns in the near future.
It made me realize the importance of knowing the audience before addressing one and also hinted me about the significance of understanding customer needs that should be focussed. This understanding would provide a valuable picture of what is important to them.