Confidence vs Caution

Having travelled along the A14 today and seen five accidents in the space of two miles it set me to thinking about the impact of being overconfident. Driving at the moment on what is assumed to be gritted roads can still be hazardous. Seeing the first two accidents within yards of each other I assumed them to be connected... but maybe not. With three more following in quick succession on the other carriageway I can only assume there was a lot of black ice about.

So what's that got to do with communication and confidence?

Sometimes we become blase about how we communicate with others, believing them to know us so well that however we say things "it'll be alright". (eg assuming main dual carriageways are gritted and "it'll be alright").

Failing to read the small signs - a slight frown, clip of words or closed body language may go missed because you are too busy concentrating on your message. (eg the first accident was a one-off, linked the first & second - notice taken at the third!). By the time you take notice of the signs it could be too late, and miscommunication has occurred.

Solutions:

Keep your mind alert at all times.
Yes, focus on your message, but also focus on the receiver.
Adjust according to the conditions.

Thankfully it appears none of the accidents I saw appeared to be too serious. Let's hope that's the same for any miscommunication!