Foot-In-Mouth Syndrome…Innoculate Yourself Now

There's buzz about "hoof-and-mouth" disease. (Anyone remember the television program "Boston Legal" with William Shatner's character suffering from what he called "mad cow disease"?)

What about "put-foot-in-mouth" syndrome? Most of us periodically have bouts of this syndrome. The cause is typically that we open our mouths and speak before our brains catch up to us to tell us that what comes out of our mouths might best be re-phrased (or not leave our lips at all).

An article came across my (virtual) desk that brought a chuckle to the start of my day about gaffs people have been heard to make during sales meetings. (READ THE ARTICLE HERE.)

Now, how do we minimize our "put-foot-in-mouth" syndrome? Here are three tips to implement right away to keep this communications gaff at bay.

1. THINK before you speak. I know. This is an overused admonition. Yet, we keep ignoring it! I know I do when I am nervous or stressed-out. When that thought comes into your head and your mouth is about to open with your tongue ready to move into action, send a signal to your brain that says, "Wait! Just one more second or two. What are you about to say that just might not be appropriate in this situation?" That extra second or two can buy you the time you need to avoid uttering an embarrassing statement.
2. Ask yourself, "To whom am I about to say the next sentence, and how might my words impact this person?" In a second? Thinking this takes longer than saying what you're going to say!! Agreed, yet when communications count the most (like relationships, sales, service, health, safety, ????) it is best to ask yourself the question. The words that spew from your mouth make a crucial difference in the reactions – and actions – that follow.
3. Stick to your "script". If your job or business is such that you have an outline or script for the things you say to people (think customer service, sales, professional presentations, emergency response scripts, and others), stick to the scripts and avoid embellishments…especially when you are rushed or in a stressed state of mind. Outlines, scripts, and practicing responses serve a purpose. They condition your mind to say the "right things" at the times they are supposed to be said. Nerves and adrenaline and stress garble up the mental synapses. (Now, THAT's a scientific description!) Keep to the "script" when you need it the most. Embellishments just get you in verbal trouble.

Implement these three tips for keeping verbal gaffs and foot-in-mouth syndrome at bay, right away. And consider reinforcing your interpersonal communications competencies by getting my free 9-day set of interpersonal skills reminders at http://www.springboardtraining.com.