MISCOMMUNICATION KILLS: LIFELONG LESSON FROM AIR FRANCE FLIGHT 447

After today's work, I always save time to read anything interesting or something that will be useful in the future. Tonight, it happened that I read the case of Air France Flight 447, which happens to be the most deadliest accident in the history of Air France. According to Wikipedia, this accident is also the Airbus A330's second and deadliest accident, and its first in commercial passenger service.

picture from Google Search

Just a brief summary:

"Following resolution of an earlier incident with a faulty Pitot tube that lasted a few minutes, the pilot-in-command left to take a rest leaving control in the hands of the copilots. When the two copilots were operating the Airbus, it was not clear which one of the two was in charge of the plane, nor did the copilots communicate with each other about who was in control of the plane." - Reference: Crew Resource Management (Wikipedia)

When I first read that phrase, I was like... WHAT THE FUCK? Are they idiots? That is so stupid of them! Then after a few minutes, I shift the rage into a few minutes of reflection. Then I realized that miscommunication is not just a small matter.

Miscommunication is deadly. It kills friendship, relationship, marriages, healthy environment in workplace, and people (literally).

There are lots of definitions of miscommunication out there. But to simplify, miscommunication happens because one fails to talk and one fails to listen. And this leads to confusion. One person will get confused of what is his role, responsibilities, duties and the things expected from him. And since he failed to talk (which is to ask) or to listen, human error happens out of miscommunication. 

I believe that talking and listening are not the hardest part of the situation. It is the insensitivity to the situation. Always. Not many of us can recognize and be sensitive on what's happening. Some says that's stupidity, but I call it natural. Not everybody is gifted about that.

You don't need a certificate to be a great speaker or the best listener to save failing relationships or work environment or home. One should cultivate the art of sensitivity. Not the sensitive type where you are fussy about everything. But the type of sensitivity where you put yourself in one's shoes. In that way, you will get a glimpse or an idea of the bigger picture. Then talking and listening will not be difficult anymore.

Anything can be saved and fixed .... by talking and listening.