Communication
"The way we communicate with others and with ourselves
ultimately determines the quality of our lives."
- Anthony Robbins
As I
mentioned in my November newsletter, I wanted to take some time to refocus and
decide what I wanted to do when I grow up - with one restriction - I have to
not grow up to do whatever it is.
Over the ten
years that I have operated my own training and writing business, I've adjusted
and narrowed my focus each year. Recently, I had a bit of an obvious epiphany. Do you
know what I mean by that? It's one of those "a-ha" moments that after
you've had it, you think, "Well, of course, how could it be anything
else?"
If this past
year has taught me anything, it is that we live in a divided society. More so
than at any time in my life (and I lived through the 60s!), people seem to be
screaming at each other. The common manners that we were taught as children
have been thrown out so that we can push our viewpoint on others.
Creating a Change
I love
training. I love communicating. I want to make a difference in a world that has
become shrill and angry. I want to see a change, and I want to help create that
change. I want to help people discover that the best way to win people to their
way of thinking is to find the areas of agreement. Only when we do that, will
we accomplish anything, including solving the big problems we have in this
country and this world.
So I will be
focusing my training on communication and interpersonal skills. The new, revamped
training sessions will focus on solving problems between people by paying
attention to how we relate to each other. There will be a mix of Emotional
Intelligence, Appreciative Inquiry, Conflict Resolution, as well as Effective
Communication.
This
newsletter will reflect that more defined focus. We'll talk about the basics of
communication and spend time discussing the areas where
many of us have problems. We'll discover ways to get through barriers and reach consensus.
We'll start
with a little communication theory, just to set the stage. The definition of
human communication is transmitting information from one person to another.
Harold Lasswell, political scientist and communication theorist summed it up as
"who says what to whom in what channel with what effect."
Four
Elements of Communication
For actual
communication to happen, there have to be four elements; sender, message,
receiver and feedback. I can send this newsletter out to thousands of people,
but if no one opens or reads it, there is no communication. And if I don't get
feedback from you and others who read it, I can't be sure that I have
communicated effectively (or that I haven't dropped into your spam filter.)
These four
parts give me an ideal framework for discussing communication. What parts do I
have control over? What am I responsible for? When I communicate, what do I
need to be aware of?
These are
some of the topics we'll be talking about this year as we work toward a
successful, peaceful, and productive 2010. I hope you'll join me.
Feedback, Please
Help me fill
in that last piece of this communication. Reply with your biggest communication
problems. What drives you crazy? Is it talking to your spouse? Is it dealing
with employees who don't listen to you? Is it communicating with people from
different generations? Does the speed of communication cause you stress or do
you hate when you have to communicate in "old-school" ways? Let me
know you're out there and what you would find worthwhile on the subject of
communication.
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Upcoming Training
Watch this space for upcoming training events and speaking
engagements. If you would like me to speak to your group or association on any
area of interpersonal communication, please let me know.
Are your employees having problems with motivation or showing signs of stress?
Often these problems result from a need for greater interpersonal skills. Call
me for a free consultation to see if my training programs can help. I'll give
you an outline of what I think will help or refer you to someone who is better suited to assist. Call 210-863-2250 or email crystal@crystaldarby.com to set up a time. |
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Puzzle
In the following line of
letters, cross out six letters so that the remaining letters, without altering
their sequence, will spell a familiar English word.
C
S
O
I
N
X
L
E
N
T
E
T
E
C
R
T
S
The first correct entry will win a $25 gift certificate from Nicavid's Bakery and Cafe.
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Crystal Communications
6000 Trone Trail
San Antonio, Texas 78238
210-863-2250
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