Effective communication goes much deeper than mere tips and strategies to help people listen more intently, be understood better, and communicate without fostering misunderstanding. Knowing how to read (and listen) between the lines and ensuring that clarity is exercised at the very outset are mere tools of the trade. At the very core of effective communication is the ability to better understand a situation that enables a person to build trust, resolve differences, and create an environment that allows for ideas and innovations to flourish.
The heart of the matter
No matter what century it is, the very heart of effective communication remains the same. The exchange of information is just at the surface. The core of every exchange is the comprehension of what’s being said as well as the understanding of the emotion behind the messages being exchanged. Mastering this important aspect of communication involves recognizing and fully comprehending the emotions of those involved in the interaction.
How can this level of communication that is necessary in interpersonal interactions be achieved? And what must be done to avoid stressful and frustrating situations that lead to conflict and eventually the breakdown of relationships? Here are a few insights that might be helpful in that next business transaction.
The bridge
Business is driven by this rather simple system of demand and supply. Any transaction regardless of the nature of business involves a client who wants or desires something to be done. If he or she does not have the expertise, only the resources to pay for the services, the client opts to hire someone to do it. This is where professionals, technicians, and artists come in. The person hired is essentially a bridge between the client’s idea and the actual fruition of that idea. The inability of either one to effectively communicate what needs to be done and how things ought to be done usually cause delays, problems, and increases the risk of the objective not being achieved at all.
Factors such as differences in background, perspectives, values and culture play a significant role, but it really all comes down to an effective communication plan. It is the bridge that connects differences in personalities, interests and opinions even when they are at very extremes. It is not difficult to understand why many people aspire to be effective communicators and why those who already are often find themselves at an advantage in every possible situation that requires an exchange of information. The key to good business is to establish open channel of communication that enables people to exchange information clearly, concisely, and efficiently.
Know what’s out there
This is the digital age and everything written about effective communication is being rewritten. Learning how to communicate effectively, especially in the world of business requires not only interpersonal communication skills, but knowledge about the tools of the trade used in the 21st century.
Author, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jim Rohn was probably not pertaining to modern innovations when he said that “Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know.” But in dealing with clients these days, the phrase “wearing different hats” already has an expanded scope.