If you are frustrated with not feeling like someone at work is “hearing” you or that they simply don’t “understand” what you’re saying, you may get better results if you try focusing on “how” you are conveying the information, rather than “what you are conveying.

Different behavioral styles communicate very differently. One style may use lots of facial expressions while another style is practically emotionless as they talk. Certain styles use lots of hand motions and a different style has subtle movements in their body language as they communicate. Watching for cues on how the other person responds to “how” you are communicating something can point you in the direction of how to start communicating your “what”.

Maybe when you are communicating face-to-face with someone you notice that they aren’t looking at you or are constantly distracted. If it’s a facts based information, perhaps sending it in a well thought-through and structured email might be better. Perhaps you may want to try giving less information and checking in with them frequently to see what they are thinking as you are giving them the facts. It’s possible how you are structuring your conversation is the main issue with them not paying attention to you or them not finding what you are saying to be relevant to them.

When it seems like someone else at work isn’t “listening” ask them how they would best like to get the type of information you are conveying and give that a try next time.