"I didn't mean it like that!" A lesson in intent vs impact

Have you ever been frustrated because you couldn’t seem to get your message across to another person? Have you been in the middle of a conversation and said something that seemed to shut down dialogue, but weren’t sure why?

When there is a gap between what you meant to communicate and what another person understands, things can shut down quickly. Often, your words can have an impact that runs completely counter to what you intended, and for a variety of reasons.

In today’s episode, I’ll discuss four factors to consider when interacting with others, and how this awareness can make you a much more effective communicator. 

Show highlights include:

  • The 3 most important pieces of the communication puzzle to consider when you are interacting with anyone (3:24)
  • These four factors can dramatically affect the way your intention is understood when communicating with others (5:23)
  • This dynamic can give your words more weight than you intend, resulting in unintended consequences if you’re not aware of it (8:57)
  • If you often feel misunderstood, you may be unintentionally confusing your message by doing this (11:12) 
  • How identity privilege can be silently undermining your efforts to relate to others, and how to fix it (16:54)
  • This specific aspect of your communication style can have a major impact on how your words are taken by others (20:03)

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Learn more about Cherylanne’s work: 

https://cherylanneskolnicki.com

Find out more about Brilliant Balance Breakthrough:

https://cherylanneskolnicki.com/brilliant-balance/

Om Podcasten

You deserve a big, full life and the freedom to enjoy it. The Brilliant Balance Podcast helps women in leadership design their next chapter for sustainable success—without burnout. Every week, host Cherylanne Skolnicki, a leading expert in work-life balance, leadership growth, and mindset coaching, shares ideas, inspiration, and insights to help high-achieving women align their ambition with personal fulfillment. Through conversations on leadership mindset, time management, and personal growth, you'll gain the tools to thrive in both your career and personal life. Whether you're considering a career pivot or craving more time for your personal life, you might find yourself asking: How do I advance my career—without working 24/7? Can I achieve my goals while still having time for my family? How do I stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling in control? What’s next for me—and how do I design it intentionally? If you’ve ever wondered how to fulfill your potential without breaking your life, this podcast is for you. In addition to sharing her own insights, Cherylanne sits down with experts, thought leaders, and ambitious women who reveal their strategies for burnout recovery, productivity for women, and redefining success on their terms. You’ll love the Brilliant Balance Podcast if you like podcasts like: Unlocking Us or Dare to Lead with Brene Brown, Women at Work by Harvard Business Review, The Midlife with Reshma Saujani, We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle, The Mel Robbins Podcast, HerMoney with Jean Chatzky, So Money with Farnoosh Torabi