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Would it surprise you to know that for some of us the statement is simply a nice piece of information? "Hmmmm, yes now that you mention it, it is a bit cool." For others however, it is a call to action. That is, "oh would you like a jacket, or let me turn the air conditioner off or make it a bit warmer for you!"
Communication should not be confused with hearing and speaking. Although we can all do that quite well, actually communicating, - that is, ensuring that the message we intend is the message received - is quite something else.
You see, the whole communication process happens inside a set of filters - as shown below:
These filters are: our own frame of reference, our experiences, view of the situation, our view of ourself and others and, according to Carl G Jung, our inate preference for how we process information.
Communication is an area I am passionate about as it underpins everything we do. We can not NOT communicate! Interestingly, research suggests that 75% of all workplace error is due to poor communication.
To explore communication is to explore self, practise empathy and, in the words of the "Fish!" philosophy, "be present". Or, as Eckhart Tolle would say, "live in the present moment".
I have researched and developed a concept that I have called Power of Open Dialogue (PoD) that explores all aspects of communication enabling you to master this essential work and life skill.
Take a look at the PoDs and on-line tutorials available to you, and remember the words of Stephen Covey: "Seek first to understand, then be understood." Beautifully translated by a participant in one of my sessions as, "that is probably why we have two ears (listen more) and only one mouth (speak less)". |
