Preventing Misunderstandings (The Long and Short of It)
Today’s advice column involves Rick helping his friend Mike with a hilarious dating predicament he finds himself in that stems from a totally preventable misunderstanding.
How many times have you meant something and someone thought you meant something else? Or conversely, how many times have you thought someone meant one thing when they meant something else? Unfortunately, misunderstandings happen far too often in life and can be the cause of many of our problems. The good news is that preventing misunderstandings is totally possible! In today’s advice column, you will learn about a tool called an ‘operational definition’. An operational definition is a tool that promotes understanding between people by putting communicable meaning into written or spoken words.
Here is a good example from a text conversation I had with my friend Mike…
Mike: So, I have a problem I need ur help with
Rick: Ok, what’s up?
Mike: I hadn’t had much luck meeting girls on Tinder, so I decided to add how large I was ‘down there’ to see if it improved my dating life.
Rick: Yikes…Tell me more
Mike: It really did help things, you would not believe the number of responses I got.
Rick: I don’t see the problem dude.
Mike: These girls are accusing me of putting false info in my profile. I put that I am 9 long and when we get down to business they say there’s no way I am 9 long, and I don’t get it (literally)
Rick: Dude, wait. You are originally from Canada too…so you are measuring in centimeters, right?
Mike: Yes, obviously eh.
Rick: Dude, Americans measure in inches and sadly for you, there is a big difference. An operational definition is what you need. I guarantee it will help with preventing misunderstandings in your dating life, but you will probably get less dates! haha
Mike: What would it look like?
Rick: Sadly for you, not much! Something like this, ‘the length of my erect penis from the base to the tip is exactly 3.5 inches’.
Use It or Lose It!
How to create an operational definition for preventing misunderstandings:
Identify the thing you need an operational definition for
Decide if it is something that may be measured (quantitative) or described (qualitative)
Describe it in as much detail and as specifically as possible
If quantitative, describe in detail how it will be measured. Possibly the units of measurement, the time frame, the parameters, whatever you can think of to ensure complete understanding.
If qualitative, describe it in as much detail as possible making sure to leave out any ambiguities and any nouns that may have other meanings or that may be not be clear.
If possible, review it with the other person and make sure you both agree on it
Re-do it if necessary to make it as complete as possible
When to Use Operational Definitions for Preventing Misunderstandings
In personal relationships (romantic, family, friends etc.)
At work with your superiors, direct reports and even customers.
In any situation where you want to remove ambiguity and prevent ill-will.
Discuss…
How have you used operational definitions in your life?
Thanks for reading and until next time, remember…PYMFP!
-Rick
P.S. If you haven’t already done so, sign up to receive our Weekly Blog Posts Summary in your inbox by clicking here.
If you enjoyed this post, it would mean the world to us if you shared it via any of the platforms below!
Popular Previous Posts:
Meet My New Best Friend!
Dear Mr. Bezos
Mind Map Your Way Down the Aisle
10 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success
A Superhuman Solution to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking