219-to-212: Communication Breakdown vs. Communication Success

Yesterday's historic vote on overhauling the health care system in the U.S. could not have been much closer. The final vote in the House of Representatives on Sunday was 219-to-212, with Republicans voting unanimously against the bill. The tensions rife throughout this debate are illuminated by the language used to describe it: - "an epic political battle" (NY Times, March 22, 2010) - "a tortuous campaign" (LA Times, March 22, 2010) - "a critical logjam" (Chicago Tribune, March 21, 2010) Consider for a moment disagreements you've had with peers or supervisors, students or faculty, friends or family. While your disagreements may not have been on the same scale as the national health care debate, you may have felt misunderstood--or may have experienced a complete lack of understanding of a particular viewpoint with which you disagreed. When you find yourself worrying about a disagreement, remember that the NIH Office of the Ombudsman provides a free, confidential resource to assist NIH trainees and employees in addressing concerns and resolving conflicts. The Office is often called upon to provide guidance in difficult, longstanding conflicts; they are also a great place to go to talk things out at the first sign of a complicated situation. The Ombudsman’s Office is happy to speak to NIH employees who work on every campus—phone appointments are possible. To learn more, visit http://ombudsman.nih.gov/ or call (301) 594-7231. Another helpful resource that can help you gain insight into yourself and others is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI^®). By helping you understand they way you and others process information and interact with the world, this assessment can help you  express your own views in ways that can really be heard. In the MBTI, there are no “right” or “wrong” answers. This assessment simply represents a way to understand our personalities more fully. Understanding difference can then lead to more effective communication with those around you. This valuable resource is offered free of charge through the OITE for all trainees. MBTI seminars are offered regularly throughout the year. Watch your inbox for an invitation to the next one (Bethesda) which will be on April 15^th from 9:00am-12:00pm.