Acceptable Impartation
Effective communication can be found in the court room, the classroom, the boardroom,
conference room, and even the living room. So why do so many people have issues with
effective or adequate communication? What are some tips to adequately communicating your message?
Be Kind
Do to others as you would like them to do to you ~Luke 6:31 (NLT)
When you give off kindness, kindness is often returned. If you speak in a tone that is genuinely caring and compassionate, even if it is a hard discussion point, it will be received better than a heartless approach. By overriding emotions that may rise in the moment, sticking to the facts, and choosing words wisely, even the most difficult discussions can be handled respectfully. Think about how you would want someone to approach you with the conversation. Straight to the point? With a little sugar coating? A whole lot of honesty? With a compassionate tone? Any combination or all the above, just be kind and thoughtful while being honest and watch the recipient receive your message instead of automatically engaging their defense mechanisms.
Be Exact
Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
~Matthew 5:37 (NLT)
Have a definite communication goal. If the goal is to communicate how to go left, then make sure that is what is communicated. Don’t get caught up explaining why right is so wrong but instead, highlight why left is the ultimate solution. People can get lost in the stories, the analogies, and the metaphors and remain clueless as to what you are trying to communicate with all of the visuals that do not provide a clear path to the end goal. Establish your point, follow the path to it, make sure they were with you and then move on.
Engage in Feedback
“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. ~Isaiah 1a:18 (NLT)
One way to be sure your message was received is to engage in dialogue after you have said what you wanted to say. If the person can communicate about it, even if they don’t agree with it, then you can confirm they have understood and received the message. Effective communication is an interchange of information, not just a statement and an exit.
Acceptable impartation is patient, kind, considerate, and thoughtful. It does not berate, deflate, or manipulate. It is an effective exchange of information where one conveys a point and another understands the point so well, they can engage in dialogue about that point and provide their perspective about that point.