“The most dangerous thing is not something you do not know, it is something you think you know but actually you didn’t”.
From movie STAR TREK
Here is my first post about my communication lesson, I hope anyone who get the chance read it enjoy it. =)
The first principle of effective communications is to really connect with your audience. Communication is a two-way process, and you need to be really careful with that. Before you start to communicate with others, you should ask yourself what is your purpose of this conversation. Knowing your plan will make you engage your audiences as well as emotionally connected with them. Look them into the eyes, try to express what you mean, and say it.
The second principle of effective communication is to get appropriate feedback. When you told someone to do something and he did exactly opposite to what you said, would you get pissed off? No, you should not. What you should do is reflect what the problem with your communication with him is and figure it out how to get a proper feedback. A good feedback should give you a message that he understood you and he agreed with you or not. For me, a good way of asking for a feedback would be “You feel me?”
The third principle is to understand that communication is more than the surface meaning of words. As a listener, you need to concentrate on the one who is talking to you. Do not let other things distract you. Hearing is not listening, you need to understand not only the words but also the meaning deep inside the words and reflect from that.
The fourth principle is respect. Respect your audiences when you are talking to them, ask them for feedback. I shall say I have seen some politicians of Taiwan government arguing in a parliament meeting and the impression they gave me is purely a lack of respect to each other. They do not allow their opponents from other party to finish talking. Apart from that, they even fight with each other when they are angry. A simple improvement would be respecting your enemies and it will be very easy to reach a common approach between you two.
Hi Jacky,
ReplyDeleteFirst comment! :)
To answer your question, indeed I do enjoy reading your posts. It gives a really matures and global perspective of communication and its relation to me.
I liked that communication was broken into many small parts for easy digestion. Apart from that, effort was put in to give the readers suggestions to improve communication.
I agree that the Taiwanese parliament quarrels are a very good negative role model for all of us to follow. Youtube it, and you will find numerous examples of shouting and quarreling. How would someone be able to get their message across like that? I wonder.
Respect is definitely an integral part of communication that many people are lacking. With all the hype about wireless communications and instant messaging, the lack of human contact has made respect a problem in communication. Its as if our high technology species went senile.
Nice post Jacky! :)
Hey Jacky,
ReplyDeleteUnlike the rest of the posts that I have read (including my own), your approach to the topic is certainly more technical. With a more systematic approach to the issue, you certainly laid out your points neatly and readers wouldn’t have much of a problem trying to recollect your ideas.
Like what ChengYang mentioned, I certainly agree on the point of respecting your audiences. Your reference to the Taiwanese Parliament unquestionably depicted how communication can go very wrong. Instead of sorting out their issues in a peaceful manner, they turned to mindless shoutings to get their point across to the opposing party. And after all the shoutings and screamings, the only thing that really got across is that poor chair that got flung over in the heat of the ‘discussion’. Learning to respect each other is absolutely crucial for effective communications.
Cheers!
Hey Jacky,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post. The points have been well thought out and structured. Really gets the message across:)
One important aspect of communication that I thought you brought out is that, communication is indeed a two way process. And so both the speaker and the listener have an equal role to play, so that the message gets across effectively.
And yes, definitely respect is of the utmost importance when it comes to communicating with another being. The Taiwanese parliament videos are indeed the perfect exaple of what can happen if you don't respect the audience you're addressing, and believe you me, you don't want to end up in that state!