1. Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham AVOIDING MIXED MESSAGES A focus on the consequences of combining language tools and how to fix mixed messages.

2. Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham2 Mixed Message  “When two or more of the meanings we manage contradict one another…” because “there are no shared entailments.”

3. Business Metaphors Table 6.1, p. 132 What are the entailments?  Journey Voyage  War Military  Organism Organic  Society Community Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham3

4. 4 (Shared) Entailments  Entailments are the “relationships and concepts that a metaphor brings to mind.”  Shared Entailments are the “overlap of the relationships and concepts of two different metaphors.” *Read & Review Table 6.1 on Page 132

5. Behavior  You may contradict your language, your managed meanings, with your actions.  When that happens, those who are interpreting your message rather easily, begin to dismiss what you’re saying and/or block further discussion *(Read about Ray& Joe on pages 134-135) Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham5

6. 6 Question?  What happens when meanings complement and reinforce one another?

7. Answer!  “They create a clear and consistent image of our subject that helps others know how to respond.” Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham7

8. 8 Question?  What happens when the meanings we manage diverge and contradict each other?

9. Answer!  “They create a fragmented view of our subject.” Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham9

10. 10 What do you do about a mixed message?  Investigate it! Look for incongruence. Examine how to reframe. Compare the alternative framing with the first framing.

11. Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham11 What’s another thing you do about a mixed message?  Un-mix the message! Communicate. Create opportunities to influence the interpretation. Create opportunities to reframe.

12. Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham12 How do you affect the interpretation of a mixed message?  1.Acknowledge that there’s a contradiction that must be understood for all the ramifications.

13. Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham13 Another way to affect the interpretation of a mixed message?  2. Show how the contradiction is more apparent than real.

14. Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham14 A third way to affect the interpretation of a mixed message?  3. Change your language to realign it with other things you’ve said, with your actions, or with the expectations of others.

15. Remember  Through your language and the images you create with your language, it is possible to send mixed messages and destroy the integrity of the message you hoped to send! Dr. Joanne E. Nottingham15