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Say what matters, hear what is real
Say what matters, hear what is real
Understanding communication in a social setup
Understanding communication in a social setup
For any social setup, communication is the key tool for interaction and expression. It allows for people to learn from each other, make plans, and let needs and wants be known. Great communication is respectful, honest, realistic, and clear. In fostering deeper connections, communication should be open and not agenda-driven, even if it’s not a perfect system.
The purpose of communication is:
• To be understood with clarity (actions, intended meaning, feelings, wants and needs)
• To build values like trust and integrity.
• Deepen bonds and maintain meaningful connections.
• As a tool in decision-making and conflict resolution.
• As a learning, training, and education aid.
SKILLS FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION
SKILLS FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION
1. Gentle Assertiveness
1. Gentle Assertiveness
Great communication requires a person to be sure. No one takes someone with little confidence and doubt seriously. However, being bold does not include lack of basic communication etiquette like politeness. There is no need for harsh words or approaches; truth and corrections can still be delivered gently.
Assertiveness requires speaking of facts, not rumors, and in the event that you are unsure, approach cautiously and communicate what part/subject issue is still not fully in the clear.
This is the art of listening to digest, understand, and internalize whatever message is being passed across from the source/sender. It is not listening to react, attack, judge, or gaslight the person communicating. To be an active listener, one must be patient and accommodating during the communication process and not interrupt or respond prematurely until you understand what the other person means.
Learn how to validate properly, without giving false hopes or inherently agreeing with what is being spoken if it’s of a conflicting nature. Ask the other party for feedback occasionally if you are still on the same page with the communication to avoid misinterpretation or jumping to conclusions and decisions that are not aligned.
3. Balanced emotions in communication
3. Balanced emotions in communication
Emotions, if not stable, cloud judgment and pollute the process of communication. It may alter how a message is sent and interpreted. It is important to communicate when you have a clear head and heart; pause and reflect first if you feel emotionally off. Silence is another great alternative in incase of anger or disappointment.
A bad mood may lead to misinterpreting a good or neutral message in a bad way. Ideally, there should be communication in neutrality or a positive mood depending on the circumstance. For instance, apologies should bear no resentment, correction should be without threats, and truth should be without condescending insults.
Communication is not limited to speech but also includes non-verbal signs, gestures, cues, and illustrations. They are facial expressions, body language and posture, tone attached to speech, how a space is set up, contact, and physical proximity to each other.
While communicating verbally, nonverbal actions should match the message being passed across. For instance, while breaking sad news like death, the facial expression should also be somber. Written communication should be clear, concise, coherent, and easy to understand, possibly without further need of elaboration.
This applies to illustration, like motion videos, art, and pictures. They should depict the message accurately and be interpretable at first glance.
5. Follow-up actions
5. Follow-up actions
When people communicate, most of the time they expect feedback in the form of words or actions. That is why it is important to ensure that you understand the purpose of the message clearly and react accordingly, whether with words or with intentional actions. Avoid adding unnecessary details that are not relevant to the communication at hand.
Be consistent in providing feedback and ensure that any actions performed are timely and relevant. If you happen to misread the room, the response should call your attention to it, at which point you apologize and inquire how you can assist the right way. Examples of feedback through action could be hugging someone who is breaking down while offering comforting words as a way of saying, ‘I’m here with you to offer my support.’
6. Conflict resolution skills
6. Conflict resolution skills
There is no truly perfect communication; it is a carefully woven channel relying on both the sender and receiver to pass on, receive, and interpret the message correctly. Anything can go wrong in that chain of communication, resulting in conflict, which is to be expected once in a while. Knowing how to respond to these conflicts when they arise is therefore an essential skill to have and master.
It involves:
• Admit when wrong and find a good time, channel, and avenue to offer a sincere apology.
• Always set things straight, communicate clearly, and be available for any follow up inquiries to avoid setting off a conflict due to a misunderstanding.
• Identify any wrong that occurred in the communication chain and set it straight. This could involve improving communication channels and tools.
• Put in place rational and smart initiatives to deal with complaints and to potentially avert communication disasters (e.g. hiring or appointing a communications liaison to appropriately manage communications in social clubs.)
7. Knowing the limits of communication
7. Knowing the limits of communication
There are issues and problems that cannot be handled or resolved through communication. Being a good communicator involves being aware of situations that require more than just communication or no communication at all. An example would be cases where any attempt to communicate may make it worse, like in active violent cases.
Always be rational and advocate for other methods like giving space or separation. Avoid trying to use communication in scenarios where threats, blackmail, dismissal of feelings, punishment, fear-mongering, and some form of mocking/condescending tone are being used.
Remember! You don’t have to be a perfect communicator to strengthen your social connections, just have the right attitude and the willingness to improve on the weak areas.
FAQs (Frequently asked questions about social communication)
FAQs (Frequently asked questions about social communication)
Why do some conversations feel shallow even when talking alot?
Why do some conversations feel shallow even when talking alot?
This is likely due to talking about shallow concepts or dancing around the edges while avoiding real, meaningful issues. A person ends up talking a lot but saying and communicating nothing. Volume doesn't always mean depth.
Why do people misunderstand each other in clear communication?
Why do people misunderstand each other in clear communication?
Because communication is a process that also involves decoding, that means the receiver of the message has to make sense of it. The message may be clear from the sender, but if the channel is broken or the receiver lacks comprehension, miscommunication is inherent.
Why does some honest conversation still damage a relationship?
Why does some honest conversation still damage a relationship?
Because people give and receive honesty differently. Some people are not ready for hard truths; hence, they run away from such conversations and friendships. Other people communicate honesty rather harshly, eroding the good intent behind it, thus causing friction in a relationship.
Does digital communication weaken social interactions?
Does digital communication weaken social interactions?
Not really. If used well, digital spaces enhance digital interactions and give space to organize and attend physical interactions. Only when these spaces are used negatively, e.g., for bullying and trolling, do they end up damaging and breaking relationships.
Can silence be a form of healthy communication?
Can silence be a form of healthy communication?
Yes, if used in a situation where talking escalates the events in a negative way and in places where silence is needed as a form of soft unspoken understanding and solidarity (e.g., holding hands in silence when in shock or mourning.)
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