Question

Identify the eight hidden agendas in communication and discuss the purpose of each.

Answer 1

All the communication process go through some hidden agenda either explicitly or implicitly. Most of the times, these hidden agenda do not help improve the communication but make the entire process and the results difficult.

1. I’m good – One of the most important hidden agenda in a communication is taking the feel that ‘I’m good’. These people reinstate their opinions and although they don’t explicitly say that the other one is not good, they make it a point to prove that they are good.
2. I’m good and you are not good – People communicate in a way that they are good and also in a way to mention that others are not good. They make sure to criticize others’ opinions are wrong.
3. You are good and I’m not – This occurs when the people feel inferior and carries low self-confidence and low self-esteem. People make do not reply or express their opinions freely out of inferiority complex.
4. I’m helpless and I suffer – During this phase people seek for sympathy by stating that they are helpless and they suffer a lot which caused their inability in not completing or coping with something.
5. I’m blameless – This occurs when people try to justify their actions and take credits for their words if they work or else they say that they would say they are not responsible.
6. I’m fragile and weak – People who have some past experience that hurt them would always plead others not to hurt them with their words and actions.
7. I’m tough – These people normally show others that they are tough and they won’t be moved by emotional blackmails and they wouldn’t seek any advice from anyone because they prove that they are tough.
8. I know it all – These people show that they know everything and always expect for someone who would come to them for advice or help.