What does effective communication really mean? When one search over the internet for the definition, more than 10 pages of results will be generated; so which of them is the correct definition of effective communication? I personally think that there is no correct definition. All of the definitions contain the essence of effective communication; that is the transmitting and exchanging of information between people or organizations in a clear and concise way, using both verbal and non-verbal methods. This is the general definition of effective communication that most people perceive, including me.
Why is developing effective communication important to me? Below are some of the reasons why I feel so.
For a decade, I was in a boy school (because it was catholic high school primary & secondary). Within the school there was not much avenues for me to open up and develop my communication skills. In addition, being overly sheltered by my father, I was not given much chance to develop my communication skills be it in school or at home (presentations in projects, phone call enquiries, etc). As such I was not able to open up to people properly and often felt uncomfotable when I am required to do any tasks that involves interaction and communication (side effect of poor communication skills?). It was only after I went to JC and NS, did I began to open up to others and learnt the importance of effective communication. I told myself: “Only when you are able to communicate effectively, then will life be smooth-sailing and successful.”
What does smooth-sailing and successful really mean to me?
In work or school, being able to communicate effectively will save you from a lot of troubles, be it from your fellow group mates, bosses or clients. In work or school, effective communication enables all available information to "flow" from one to another in a clear and complete manner; you would know everyone’s idea, what are their goals and expectations. Clients or even schoolmates will be able to understand what you are trying to bring across. This will not only make work progress smoother, and conflicts can be minimized and resolved more easily. Likewise, being able to communicate effectively allows one to have a clear "grip" on what is going on in your workplace or school projects. As quoted from the picture below, you would not be happy in your job if you do not have any ideas about what is going on at all. Hence, life will be more smooth-sailing, as conflicts are kept on check and work can get done at a faster and more efficient pace. Therefore, everyone should learn how to COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY!!!!
Effective communication helps in relationship with people too. When meeting new friends, simple gestures such as a handshake or a smile, make one feel closer to you, even if they have just met. In maintaining of friendship and interpersonal relationship, effective communication plays a very important role; being able to listen to your friend’s problems attentively and providing meaningful solutions is a form of effective communication too. Your friends will feel that they are being cared for and they will enjoy your presence. Likewise, to maintain a close relationship with your loved ones, effective communication is required. Talking and working out differences with each other when conflicts arise, showing non-verbal gestures such as a hug or a kiss tells each other that they are being loved. All these are effective communications that can help maintain a long and loving relationship with the ones you love.
Okay this is one of the most important reasons for me to develop my effective communication skill that is being SUCCESSFUL! There are many people that are successful as they have mastered the art of effective communication. Just take a look at the 44th American President Barack Obama, who is skilled at effective communication. No one would have thought that an African American will become the leader of a superpower nation United States of America, especially when he does not have much political experience. In the past, African Americans were regarded as people of lower society status and were segregated from the White Americans. One would ask how he had achieved such a phenomenon feat? I would believe that he achieved it through effective communication. He was able to bring across his ideas, thoughts, and what he hopes for the nation to the people of America, in a clear and effective way. The way he talked to people, his actions made people believe that he was the one for America, the one to lead America out of her current crisis.
In conclusion, the reason behind me developing effective communication is very simple, that is to be successful and make life better for everyone around me. Cheers!!!
January 27th 2009 12:19 AM, Reason : To change sentence structure and make it more understandable =D ... happy CNY all
Keldren,
ReplyDeleteI really like this post! You define communication, then discuss it and its importance in various contexts. Finally, you give Obama as an example of someone who has achieved the pinnacle of power/success thanks to his communication skills.
If there is anything missing here, it might be the specific needs that you as an individual have for improved communication skills. Of course, if you added any more your writing would be far over 250 words.
In any case, thanks for the detailed, insightful post!
Thanks, Keldren! It appears that you've edited your post. In a case like that, it would be good if you add "edited + date" at the bottom of it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in what appears to be the added paragraph, you have a few language errors. Review this sentence: "Hence, I was not able to open up to others easily and hated verbal presentations. There will be times when I will stumble over my words and come up with incoherent sentences when trying to explain something to others; people did not understand what I wanted and I had to re-explain it again."
Thanks for your effort!
Thanks for your comments Brad, I started writing on the 20th and didn't post it till the 23rd cause it was still in the process, maybe i have posted it up accidentally.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the errors, I have changed it, hope it is easier to understand now.
Cheers, Thanks once again
Yea, I want to be successful too!
ReplyDeleteEffective communication really makes life better for the people around us. It's like having a translator beside you in (insert foreign-language-speaking-country here)!
I think its very meaningful to possess the ability to clear up a misunderstanding or to be able to end some deep hatred between 2 families through effective communication. Your post made me think of a higher purpose here. Yeah!
Hi Keldren! I totally agree with your statement about how effective communication can lead you to success, especially with your example of Barack Obama. True be told, I was not really up to date on the elections during that period and only heard updates from my friends. Hence I did not have much of an idea of who and what Barack Obama and John Mccain are like. However, after Barack Obama had won the presidency, I was watching the video of his speech to the people and I must say that I was very inspired by his speech, especially the part where he went 'Yes We can'. From that, I could see that he knows how to hit the right note with the people and that it was through this way of communicating with people, this way of inspiring people, this way of lifting hopes in the Americans in current times, that he had won the elections. Hence, effective communication did helped him attain his success.
ReplyDeleteHey Keldren!
ReplyDeleteYou post is a good all rounder post.
I'm sure you feel there is a very good improvement after your switch from boys school to JC and NS. But, like the quote "every cloud has a silver lining" I think that even the only boys school was sort of a plus point especially when you went for NS lateron. In the sense I think the boys school would have given you a feel of brotherhood and made it easier for you to communicate in an only guys environment. This I think would have helped you in NS as well.
Another point is that I think having a sound communication skills helps the person to feel less intimidated. If I were to be in Obama's shoes I'd probably feel a little intimidated that I'm in an environment where the majority are white. But, with sound communication I think understanding and being understood by others becomes easier. Do correct me if I am wrong.
Hey, all thanks for you comments.
ReplyDeleteTo Roy: Sure glad it inspired you =D
To Shu Juan: I would say he is not only good in his verbal communication (the speech) and also his non-verbal communication (his smiles, and the aura he exudes)
To Priya: Indeed I was able to talk to guys easier than talk to girls in the past. Now i guess it has changed I try to talk to everyone regardless of sex. As they said practice makes perfect =D.
You have a point about Obama too priya, I didn't thought of that. Thanks!!!