As a mediator and facilitator of various types of conversations, in-person and virtual, I’m always learning when it comes to being a better “communicator”. In 2013, I added to my list of insights on that front.
illustration by drawingoutideas.ca
For instance, did you know…
- Inter-personal communications is essentially the process of sending and receiving messages.
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The word ‘Communication’ is derived from the Latin word ‘Communis’ which means to make ‘Common’; i.e., to get on the same page!
- Broadcasting does not make ‘common’.
- Making ‘common’ requires the message to be received AND acknowledged by the other person.
- As cultures are different, so too, are there many types and ways of communication.
- Technology adds noise to your message. How will you filter it out?
- Verbal communications (talking, writing) are more naturally suited to the virtual world, versus non-verbal communications (body language). Work with that.
- Language and culture are two pre-conditions for effective communications; environment is a third.
- Visual communications is the wave of the future (IMHO).
- The time between message received and when it was responded to has been the cause of many a relationship breakup.
- As often as not these days, the medium is the message.
- Machines can communicate, too… remember that, next time you skip doing your own communications improvement work!
What’s one of your recent learning’s on communications that you’d like to share?
(Hat tip to Dr. Suchitra Patnaik’s presentation on Slideshare re: items 2 & 8 above)
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