Building Good Communication, Have You?

Communication is something essential these days. If we take a look to people around us, it is common for everyone to hold a mobile phone or even two, maybe even more. At my last trip to Hong Kong last January 2013, my cabby driver even has eight mobile phones. Wow.. Yes, that’s the truth!! But does it mean such people have the right ability to build a good communication skill?

What is Communication?

1. The exchanging of information or news.
2. A mean of connecting people of places
3. Two-way process of reaching mutual understanding, not only exchange information, news, ideas and feelings but also create and share meaning.

I cannot imagine what would happen to us if we cannot communicate. It must be very frustrating when someone cannot talk, hear, see or express his or her own feeling. Just to show how important communication is, some people can go crazy and even further commit suicide.

Why is GOOD Communication important?

1. We are social being, to express our hearts and feelings and to avoid frustration. People who cannot make communication can be living in depression
2. We need to understand one another and avoid misunderstanding
3. It creates trust thus protect a relationship (husband and wife, and even business)
4. It builds life

As the children of God, what does the Bible say about our mouth?

Eph 4:29  Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

With this understanding, then let’s make sure that when we speak it is for building up someone’s life so that those who are going to hear it they will receive and feel the grace of God.  In the past, we often heard that my words are hars but my heart is kind and soft. Is that so?

Luk 6:45  The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Then we can learn that it is not so. Someone speak hars because their heart could be wounded or even not clean.

Here are some samples of communications:

• Parents to children
• Husband and wife
• Friends to friends
• Leader to subordinate

How do we build communication?

1. Think before you say anything, as much as possible if it is up to you, let’s choose to build and not to tear apart people around us.
2. Quick to listen and slow in giving answer and anger. Most our common mistake would be quick in giving answer and getting angry but slow to listen and understand the matter properly. True?
3. Invest your time for your loved ones such as family, children and parents not just your business or money making machine. It is useless to be rich but your have no one to enjoy it with.
4. Concentrate, not divided. You maybe a multitasking person, but it takes your heart not just ears to understand the matter.
5. Proper eye contact. Your eyes are the window of your soul. Show your loved ones that you are paying a good attention.
6. Set a good intonation at your words, not sharp and hars words, use more I and avoid more you.
7. Avoid making decision when you are mad. When you are angry your IQ is low. Many ended up in regrets because they made wrong decisions in their anger.
8. Do not be judgmental.
9. Avoid telling lies. Lies will destroy relationship, trust and reputation. So, better start telling the truth as the truth will set you free.

We may not be a master of communication, but at least let’s learn to build a good communication skills. Would you?

This post is also available in: English