It is so fascinating to see how the channels of communication are increasing – body language, oral communication, written communication, and now digital communication. But an increase in communication channels doesn’t mean there is an increase in communication quality. A good communicator communicates with energy, clarity, and empathy for it to be impactful – Energy to make the audience believe in what you believe. Clarity to remove as many miss understanding as possible and Empathy to feel that your audience gets you. But while practicing effective communication, one must understand some basic truths of communications
1. You cannot not communicate –
Everything you do communicates something about you. From what you wear, to what you eat to what you do. So it is extremely important to live in the present and do only that you want to tell people about. Every action or even an absence of words creates messages.
Let me give you an example – If your company has a change of CEO. But you choose to not communicate about it. Even if you aren’t telling people – this news through word of mouth will still build opinion in people’s minds. And they will think about what they feel.
This brings us to the second truth about communication
2. You can make people feel what you want them to feel
This is the power of communication. So one must be extremely careful of what thoughts, actions and words you cultivate. As that will create an impact. An effective way of communication and using the right channel to communicate can create people’s thoughts and feelings.
For example – the best seller makes us buy things by creating the importance of the product in our mind for us, how that product will solve our problems, and that this is a must-have.
3. A communicator who is interested is better than interesting
People want others to see them, understand them. So an individual who listens not to respond but to understand is a smart communicator. If you know the needs of someone, only then you can know what to do or say that will be impactful.
4. Your body speaks louder than words
This is an old universal truth and still has its relevance. In a client meeting or an interview, you can only get a deal or a job if you look confident. Even in the digital world – a creative will set the opinion about the organisation louder than words. For example, a good looking website or a social media page will attract more audience on your page.
5. Communications is an intentional strategy
Every relationship is formed on the basis of communication – relationship with clients, target audience, friends, bosses, and with every second person in your ecosystem. Communication intentional efforts one chooses to take.
Thus, these truths of communication can provide a foundation for everyone to understand and then develop their own effective communications strategies
Do share any communications truth or myth that you want people to know!
– Shreya Doshi
Shreya Doshi is Marketing and Communications Manager at School of COmmunication and REputation, Mumbai (SCoRe).
She has completed her Masters in Marketing and Advertising from Mumbai Educational Trust (MET) University. She believes that learning should never stop in life. Hence, learning something new every day is her moto. She loves to travel, enjoys the thrill while performing adventure sports, music and dance are her other passions.
She can be reached on Twitter and LinkedIn