Good Communication is Like a Good Game of Tennis

With the U.S. Open playing recently, we have been amazed at some very fine tennis games. But their goal is for the person on the other side of the net to NOT be able to return their hit.

On the other hand, since we’ve been involved in the process of building a new house, then moving into it, I’ve been struck with the importance (and the challenge) to communicate clearly and well. So to help with my own challenges, I want to focus on how the DISC System influences communication for the next few months.

As you seek to communicate well with your staff, patients, friends and family, a perspective to consider:

Perhaps a conversation should be more like a good game of tennis (between friends). This practice could revolutionize your relationships!

I believe talking and listening should be like playing a game of tennis:

1. Person #1 asks a question (serves the ball)
2. Then listens as Person #2 answers that question (returns the serve)
3. Person #1 then makes a follow-up comment based on that answer (hits the ball back over the net)
4. And again listens as Person #2 responds to their comment (hits the ball back again)

If someone always keeps the ball on their side of the net by talking constantly without letting the other person get a word in, that is not a pleasant game of tennis!

Or if someone serves the ball but Person #2 never hits it back or engages in any way, that isn’t really a game of tennis either, or a true conversation.

But it is delightful to have a tennis game where you can keep hitting the ball back and forth, back and forth, just like a conversation that includes talking and listening, asking and answering is the best.

Just some things to think about and try out this week as you focus on how people talk and seek to understand them better.

Here’s to good tennis game conversations—

In upcoming blogposts, we will get into the details of how each DISC Style prefers to communicate and wants others to communicate with them.

QUESTION: Have you ever thought about how having a conversation is like playing a good game of tennis? Do you see the positive possibilities? I’d love to hear your thoughts and observations. Please share in the comment section below.