Warning: Bad communication is injurious to your personal and professional life

The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug- Mark Twain

It doesn’t matter whether it is your personal or professional life, your ability to communicate matters a lot. Are you able to recollect some of your bad experiences and dire consequences you had to encounter due to poor communication?
The HUTCH ad has aptly designed its recharge cards for ‘Small, Medium and Large’ communicators.

 People at all levels need to communicate effectively. Every word we use to convey our message is important. I have heard some people using so many words to describe an incident, which waste the precious time of the listeners. Whether you understand it or not, if you fail to communicate your ideas effectively, you are going to miss a lot of precious opportunities. Only those who are excellent communicators will create a positive impression.

A husband, who cannot communicate, drives the wife crazy and vice versa.

A teacher, who finds it difficult to communicate, becomes a victim of bad reputation.

How can we keep our communication effective and refined?

1.Think before you speak

Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.- Oliver Wendell Holmes

A person, who speaks without thinking, spoils relationships. Our mind is a machine that produces thoughts every second but not everything is worth sharing with others. Many do not understand that their words of fun have hurt people or made some feel embarrassed. I don’t think people love to spend time with those who are not mindful of their words.

Think whether it is necessary to talk. If you have to talk, select the right words to convey your message. There is nothing wrong in saying them once to yourself so that you are sure of what you try to say. I knew a guy who had the habit of using the word ‘rascal’ unnecessarily which broke his friendships with many.

They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel. - Author Unknown

2.Listen to others before you open your mouth.

The grave problem in communication is that people fail to listen. What is the use of talking without understanding the original message? Don’t judge before understanding what others say. This has caused innumerable embarrassments for many people who have failed to receive the message properly.

‘Being listened to’ is a great feeling.

The problem with communication is the illusion that is has occurred
- George Bernard Shaw

If you face any problem in understanding the message, you can always ask the speaker to repeat it.

3.Change your presentation according to persons

According to the nature and positions of people, you will have to change the style of your speech and tone. You can’t speak to your superior as you do with your colleague. Only a person who discerns this will be a respectable one. You can’t speak to a female colleague as you do with the male counterpart.

Don’t use pompous language to an uneducated person. 

Keep in mind your reputation depends very much on how you present your ideas.

4.If necessary, keep quiet.

Saying nothing...sometimes says the most. -Emily Dickinson

It is not true that people respect you because you speak a lot. If necessary, keep your mouth shut. It might sound funny. But it is true. Shakespeare says, ‘Speech is silver but silence is golden’. Your silence can convey a stronger message.

If a person doesn’t respond to you when you share something, it could transmit a lot of meanings – approval, disapproval, contemplation, and disinterest. I read somewhere ‘So far the only successful substitute for brains is silence’.

5.Speak to the point.

The most horrible communication comes out of people who can’t just present only the needed points. You know that precious minutes are wasted in corporate meetings and social gatherings because the speakers don’t do what is expected of them.

The same point is repeated many times in different words in some meetings, which serve no purpose. Every word you utter should convey information. When people speak without any clear idea and preparation, people get bored. Don’t use ambiguous words and phrases, which could be interpreted by various individuals in various meanings.

6.Avoid exaggeration.

Some just can’t talk without exaggeration. Exaggeration delivers a totally different message to the listeners. These ‘exaggerators’ can create something out of nothing, invite problems, and confuse others’ minds. Never believe a message that comes out of exaggerating mouths. People with anxious minds exaggerate everything.

7. Don’t speak for the sake of speaking

The ability to speak eloquently is not to be confused with having something to say- Mark Twain

If you have nothing to say, say nothing. Speaking just to make your presence felt will cause problems to everyone. If you have nothing to do with the particular business, keep yourself away.

8. Substantiate your arguments.

Whenever you communicate, support your points with valid and authenticated examples. Any concept or idea should be supported by practical examples without which your initiative would be considered impracticable. If you want to be respected, you have to share practical experiences of people.

9. Don’t assume your listener has understood.

Always make sure that the listener has understood the message well. Messages can be interpreted in many ways. It would avoid unnecessary problems. When you speak over phone, make the listener repeat the message.

10. More words, more problems

Whenever you speak, speak to the point. Let your words be crisp. We all must have control over our words. A person, who cannot control words, is not trustworthy. People tend to trust those who speak less, as the secrets will be kept safe.

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