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Improving Communication

Sept. 17, 2019
Be aware of how you use words to express yourself.

Poor communication produces problems. It can even leave bad feelings between maintenance and other departments or between people within the maintenance department.

You don't need to be an English major to be understood, but you do need to be aware of how you use words to express yourself. Here are some tips:

  • Avoid using pronouns. Say “Jim Smith told me” instead of “They told me.”
  • Call things by their correct names. Don't refer to “conduit” if you mean EMT.
  • Avoid absolutes. “This machine always acts up” probably isn't true.
  • When discussing a problem, keep the discussion on the problem and not on the other person. Rather than “You have this set wrong,” say “Can you please check the settings? They don't look right to me.”
  • Be careful with modifiers, such as the word “only.” Where you use it in a sentence can completely change the meaning; what you say and what the listener hears may differ starkly.
About the Author

Mark Lamendola

Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.

Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.

Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.

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