“The single biggest problem in
communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw.
Some people don’t communicate openly and
it leads to lots of challenges in their personal, professional and social lives.
If they communicate openly they can understand others well and gel well with
mutual respect, peace and harmony. In fact, most conflicts arise in this world
due to lack of proper communication, and empathy.
You will find various kinds of people
by nature such as introverts, extroverts and ambiverts. Whatever their nature
may be, people must communicate with others without any inhibitions and
hesitations to present their perspectives, ideas and insights. Otherwise, they
can be misunderstood. It is observed
that most people assume communication. There is an inner noise within all
humans that prevents proper listening and it leads to improper communication.
This inner dialogue can be used either for good or bad. It can be used good
when people engage their inner dialogue to achieve their goals. They can engage
their inner dialogue effectively throughout the day to hone their skills,
abilities and knowledge. It becomes bad
when they use it for wrong things due to their negative attitude. Additionally,
this inner dialogue becomes noise and prevents from active listening, and it
paves the way for ineffective communication, and finally to conflicts.
Some people don’t understand the
difference between information and communication. Sydney J. Harris rightly differentiated,
"The two words 'information' and 'communication' are often used
interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving
out; communication is getting through.” At times people don’t want to listen to
others due to excessive ego. It leads to miscommunication. When people have
pre-occupied notions, they don’t listen to speakers actively, leading to
miscommunication. When people don’t listen to others due to adamancy, it
complicates communication. When people don’t listen to others due to dyslexia,
it leads to ineffective communication. Likewise, there are many reasons for
improper communication. Only when people realize the real reasons, they will be
able to address them effectively to listen attentively to ensure effective communication.
Remember, for effective communication, there must be coordination between the speakers
and the listeners. Edwin H. Friedman
once remarked, “The colossal misunderstanding of our time is the assumption
that insight will work with people who are unmotivated to change. Communication
does not depend on syntax, or eloquence, or rhetoric, or articulation but on
the emotional context in which the message is being heard. People can only hear
you when they are moving toward you, and they are not likely to when your words
are pursuing them. Even the choices words lose their power when they are used
to overpower. Attitudes are the real figures of speech.”
Whenever any conflict arises, check
whether it was due to poor communication or lack of empathy. These two aspects are
in your hands. When you empathize with others, you minimize conflicts; and when
you understand the real challenges in communication, you can maintain good
relations with others. Emma Thompson
rightly remarked, “Any problem, big or small, within a family, always seems to
start with bad communication. Someone isn't listening.” To conclude, acquire communication skills and
exhibit empathy to ensure peace and harmony in your personal, professional and
social life.
"Without credible communication,
and a lot of it, the hearts and minds of others are never captured."
- John P. Kotter
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