Three Principles for Communication Effectiveness

Communication is always important, although it is the means to the end, not the end itself. The end is for problem solving and idea brainstorming. A great communicator doesn’t need to be “the everyone’s tea,” but in order to communicate effectively and avoid the miscommunication symptoms such as “lost in translation,” you have to follow the right set of principles and deliver the messages persuasively and creatively.  
The authentic and candid communication  to harness trust and encourage problem-solving: Lack of trust is an often overlooked barrier to communication. If communication has to develop fully and authentically, it is essential that the person communicating should also be equally aware of what he/she wants to communicate, how he/she communicates and above all ensure that he/she has communicated correctly. Either heart to heart conversation with employees or touchy-feely chats with customers, the strategic presentations at the round table or negotiation with vendors,  The reality of messages is that they have to be "real." Though being candid doesn’t mean being rude or lack of empathy; it means to point out the issues or share the insight, but also be thoughtful to apply the good communication style and business manner skillfully. Most of the organizations today are process and control driven. Emphasis is on compliance with the result people forget to think freely. It is so important to develop an atmosphere with effective and candid communication. It is also important to foster an environment where feedback and communication are based on reality and not simply what senior management wants to hear.
The creative and empathetic communication to convey contextual intelligence: Communication is the tool to solve problems, and languages are the tools to make communications. Languages are whereas alphabets are compound within themselves. Symbolic representation becomes dynamic because of combinations and permutations. We can't treat language just as a system of words (and grammar) being just names of things. It means speaking fluently or articulating well are still not sufficient to have effective communication or being a great communicator. You need to understand the whole statement or even the complete article - all words together in common sense, not in their particular ratio 1:1 (meaning one name, symbol = one thing), it means the effective communication needs to be creative and convey contextual intelligence. If you take into consideration more than one language, such as translating something from one language to another. There is not always ratio 1:1. When you tried to use some internet translators or computer programs, knows, that it doesn't work in this sense of understanding. The computational approach in some cases is failed, at least not fully mature yet. You may say the same about metaphors. You need to understand the whole statement - all words together in common sense, not in their particular ratio 1:1 (meaning one name, symbol = one thing).

Strike the right balance between “Over Communication and “Less is More”: Some communication gurus advise to always “over communicate,” and others suggest about “less is more!” We live in the digital era with continuous delivery (either communication and other management practices) as a new normal. So it’s all about striking the right balance to communicate effectively and achieve the end goals. Thinking before you speak is an ongoing conscious effort. If you can develop the habit of perfecting in practicing patience and remain silent and spell/spill only when you must do think, use wisdom and logic and properly confirmed. There is a time to say and there is a way to say. There are certain things which must be said, although we must say it in a proper way. If your saying can stir the debate for innovation, or stimulate the energy for constructive criticism, and it may be worth the effort if you can express in the right way at the right time to the right audience.
Still you don’t need to be everybody’s cup of tea. The effective communication is not just for gaining popularity, but to convey wisdom. Create a working atmosphere to allow free expressing the creative potentials. The emotional well-being in the workplace allows everyone to express the best of themselves, encourage authentic and creative communication, but always keep the end in mind. As Einstein wisely put, you can’t solve the problem with the same thinking you created it. Through communicating problems with words clearly to other minds, and reframe the question with the new level of thinking, the fresh mind with a cognitive difference can perhaps solve the problem seamlessly.Follow us at: @Pearl_Zhu
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Published on February 22, 2016 23:20
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