How intriguing is communication? Both verbal and non-verbal. The answer for me is extremely.
Think about how much we communicate every single day and with how many people. It is astounding. How often do we conciously think about how we communicate? How much time do we put into learning and improving our communication? The words we use and the way we use them are so important and yet there is often little thought put into them. The non-verbal signals we send in our body language, tone, eye contact and gestures for example can often say more than the words themselves. I almost think it is an art that we all use and that we all must continually work to improve.
The english language is massive. The number of words we have to choose from is outstanding, and yet there are often no words to adequately express a thought or feeling. Each one of us interprets those words in different ways. It just amazes me. There is so much room for misunderstanding. We have to be aware of this to better understand each other. I think this has lead me to occassionally be a bit over-communicative. The goal is to get as close as possible to having the other person understand my thought as I understand it. There are so many barriers in the way of that happening. We are all individuals, with different perspectives, different life experiences and backgrounds, different associations with certain words or tones, different cultures of gestures and expressions, leaving so much room for error in transmitting a thought or feeling through communications.
I won't even touch on the changes that technology bring into this! I just want to get you thinking. I am completely intrigued by communication. It is a constant for all of us. I believe this should mean it should be a constant focus for improvement as well. Think how much better work would be if everyone could learn to communicate with each other better. Think of how much better all your relationships would be if communication was improved. Even in retail or restaurants. It is a huge topic with many different facets. Just something to ponder....
Please let me know if you have any thoughts on the subject!
"Communication works for those who work at it." -John Powell
"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -George Bernard Shaw
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Passionate discussion
This week I was strongly reminded of something I am passionate about - learning, experiencing, growing, embracing opportunities, and having an open-mind. I know that is several "somethings", but to me it is all related.
I was given the unique opportunity to attend a motivational business seminar with many high profile speakers for free and an excused absence from work. My first reaction was heck yes sign me up! There was no hesitation, knowing I had no deadlines that would prevent me from being able to miss that day of work. However, I heard some skepticism and doubt around the office. Co-workers spoke of how it is only a sales pitch, or they didn't agree with some of the speakers, or it would just be an over-crowded feel good seminar that didn't help, or you would only be brainwashed by what the speakers had to say.
What?!?
My first argument here is that I believe YOU have complete control over whether you will be brainwashed or not. Go in with an OPEN mind but also some healthy sense of skepticism to ask questions and not blindly accept what others say. YOU also have control over whether you spend your money. They may try to sell you the moon, that doesn't mean you don't have to buy it. Know that they will try to sell things and control that for yourself. Say no, move on. The entire seminar is not strictly selling.
Secondly, high profile speakers, no matter what their political affiliation, race, age, sex, religion, or whatever else you want to label them with, are intriguing people. They have had experiences that you and I have not. Whether you agree with them or not, like them or not, they have something to offer. Actually, I believe everyone has something to offer each of us. That's the beauty of people, we are all different in our experiences and our perspectives. Listening to such prominent people speak about what they know and what they have experienced is a blessing. They are where they are for some reason, whether you agree with that or not. You never know what could resonate with you.
Thirdly, it is a FREE, EXCUSED absence from work. Need I say more? Grab the opportunity!
It is a chance to grow, to learn something new, to expand your mind. You don't have to change your mind, but by expanding it to new ideas, thoughts and experiences you can only grow. I cannot say this will or will not benefit me until I go and see for myself. I do not blindly accept someone saying this is life-changing, but I will not blindly accept someone telling me it is not worth my time. I will decide that myself. Even if I end up thinking it is negative, it is one more experience I can cross off my list.
That is my belief. It continues to be a strong belief.
I was given the unique opportunity to attend a motivational business seminar with many high profile speakers for free and an excused absence from work. My first reaction was heck yes sign me up! There was no hesitation, knowing I had no deadlines that would prevent me from being able to miss that day of work. However, I heard some skepticism and doubt around the office. Co-workers spoke of how it is only a sales pitch, or they didn't agree with some of the speakers, or it would just be an over-crowded feel good seminar that didn't help, or you would only be brainwashed by what the speakers had to say.
What?!?
My first argument here is that I believe YOU have complete control over whether you will be brainwashed or not. Go in with an OPEN mind but also some healthy sense of skepticism to ask questions and not blindly accept what others say. YOU also have control over whether you spend your money. They may try to sell you the moon, that doesn't mean you don't have to buy it. Know that they will try to sell things and control that for yourself. Say no, move on. The entire seminar is not strictly selling.
Secondly, high profile speakers, no matter what their political affiliation, race, age, sex, religion, or whatever else you want to label them with, are intriguing people. They have had experiences that you and I have not. Whether you agree with them or not, like them or not, they have something to offer. Actually, I believe everyone has something to offer each of us. That's the beauty of people, we are all different in our experiences and our perspectives. Listening to such prominent people speak about what they know and what they have experienced is a blessing. They are where they are for some reason, whether you agree with that or not. You never know what could resonate with you.
Thirdly, it is a FREE, EXCUSED absence from work. Need I say more? Grab the opportunity!
It is a chance to grow, to learn something new, to expand your mind. You don't have to change your mind, but by expanding it to new ideas, thoughts and experiences you can only grow. I cannot say this will or will not benefit me until I go and see for myself. I do not blindly accept someone saying this is life-changing, but I will not blindly accept someone telling me it is not worth my time. I will decide that myself. Even if I end up thinking it is negative, it is one more experience I can cross off my list.
That is my belief. It continues to be a strong belief.
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