How often are your observations actually… wrong?

In this episode, Michael Reddington breaks down one of the most overlooked skills in communication: accurately interpreting what we see and hear in conversations.

Because the truth is, most communication breakdowns don’t happen because we didn’t listen…

They happen because we misinterpreted what we observed.

Michael walks through the most common ways we unintentionally mislead ourselves, and shares practical questions you can use in real time to slow down, reassess, and respond more effectively.

If you want to improve your leadership, communication, and decision-making in high-stakes conversations, this episode will change how you think about observation.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The 3 ways we unintentionally misread conversations

• Why we often see what we want, choose, or expect to see

• How misinterpretation leads to poor emotional reactions and decisions

• Simple self-check questions to improve observation accuracy

• The role of environment, mood, and context in communication

• How your goals and motivations shape what you notice

• Why observation is a skill you must actively train

Chapters:

1. (00:00) - Introduction: Why Observation Accuracy Matters
2. (01:15) - The 3 Ways We Misinterpret What We See
3. (04:48) - How Misinterpretation Leads to Bad Decisions
4. (07:22) - How to Course Correct in Real Time
5. (09:43) - Asking Better Questions for Clarity
6. (11:25) - The Role of Context in Communication
7. (13:01) - How Your Behavior Impacts Others
8. (14:54) - How Goals and Bias Shape Observations
9. (17:19) - Building Better Communication Habits
10. (21:54) - Final Question: Being Right vs Being Effective

Links and Resources:

1. The Disciplined Listening Method: How A Certified Forensic Interviewer Unlocks Hidden Value in Every Conversation by Michael Reddington
2. InQuasive: http://www.inquasive.com/
3. Humintell: Body Language - Reading People - Humintell
4. Enter Code INQUASIVE25 for 25% discount on your online training purchase.
5. International Association of Interviewers: Home (certifiedinterviewer.com)

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