You must have come across so many people who vouch by the benefits of effective communication. In both our personal and professional life, we hear about it so much that it makes us wonder — what is so special about it?
After all, communication is just about conveying a message to someone, and we do it all the time. We talk to people, call them, text them. We are constantly communicating.
If we look at the definition of communication: "Communication is the flow of intended meaning from the sender to the recipient."
It seems simple — but in practice it is not, because most of the times we underestimate the intended meaning part. We are so focused on what we have to say that we don't consider how it is going to be perceived by our listener. That is our gravest mistake.
Communication is effective only when the meaning perceived by the recipient is exactly similar to the meaning intended by the sender.
So if I want a premium phone for my birthday, saying "I want a new phone" might not get me the intended result — while saying "I want an iPhone for my birthday" will be much more effective.
This applies to non-verbal communication as well. Our gestures, postures, and body language are also important tools of communication. Waving your hands too much while talking is considered distracting. Standing straight is taken as a mark of respect.
Know your audience. Who we are communicating with determines how we communicate. We cannot convey a message in a similar fashion to a child and an adult even if the intention is the same.
Involve your listener. The more you involve the listener and reduce distraction, the more effective your communication will be. Take cues from their body language.
Effective communication is no rocket science. All you need to do is be clear about your intention, know your content thoroughly, be confident, know your audience, and use body language appropriately.
Wishing you Peace and Abundance — Ashay Shah
