What is communication?
Communication is how we share our thoughts, ideas, and feelings with other people.
It helps us to:
- Solve problems.
- Think critically.
- Understand each other.
Communication is not all about talking; it is about listening, showing respect, and paying attention.
The Real Relationship In Communication
We often talk about how communication is so important in relationships, especially long-distance relationships, and that it is the key and the core element of all of that, but we rarely ever define what we mean by communication.
Communication goes beyond:
- How was your day?
- I miss you.
- I am counting down the days to see you.
- What did you have for lunch?
Communication is about letting your partner in.
How to Communicate Better with Friends and Family
“The most important gift in this world is communication, and this is the greatest tool of influence that all leaders have.” You cannot influence what you cannot communicate. Communication is a critical skill that everyone can learn. If you did not learn how to communicate, the question becomes:
‘Communication for what purpose?'”
Reason to Communicate
The reason humans communicate is to either get somebody to do something or take an action, or you want to change their perspective, but either way, to do both of these things, you need communication.
We communicate to:
- Understand each other.
- Learn and grow.
- Make a decision.
- Express your feelings.
- Build relationships.
- Connect with the world.
Why Communication Matters
Communication can make or break any kind of relationship, whether it is:
- A friendship
- A family situation
- An intimate partnership
If there is a struggle within the communication space of the relationship, the chances are quite high that the relationship will not thrive or survive, so be aware of the communication that you have with the people that you care about.
Ask yourself:
- Are you checking on your loved ones?
- Are you showing up for them?
- Are you actually communicating your heart and wants?
- How do you feel about them?
- Your needs and what you love about them?
- The things you need to iron out?
- Do you show them that you are thankful for them?
“Communication is so important for the survival of any kind of relationship,” so if you are going to shut down on somebody who cares about you, or you are going to run away from an important conversation that you need with somebody who loves you.
Imagine how that is going to impact the longevity of the relationship or the familial situation, because communication is always key.
Communication in Relationship
Communication is about:
- Letting your partner in
- Being vulnerable
This includes talking about:
- Your plans and past
- Expectations from each other
- Your trauma and struggles
- Insecurities
Communication is about opening up and letting your partner in on a point where there’s never a time in the dark, and they do not understand what is going on, especially in a long-distance relationship, because you have to compensate for everything by communicating.
Let’s talk about
- Your feelings
- Your fears
- Love differences
- Trauma from a previous relationship that might affect the progress of the current relationship.
Communication is just sharing yourself for the next person to see exactly who you are, in between:
- I miss you
- I cannot wait to see you
Also have those really important deep core conversations.
4 Principles of Communication
Good communication is a skill you can learn and use for life. Whenever you speak at work, with friends, or at home, sharing ideas and building relationships, the way you communicate affects people’s understanding of you.
That is why a lot of people learn the skills to communicate, which include the 4 C’s that will help you to express your message confidently and clearly.
1. Be Clear
When your message is clear, it is simple to comprehend. The other person should not have to guess what you really mean when you communicate.
How to be clear:
- Use straightforward language.
- Concentrate on one concept at a time.
- Avoid unnecessary words.
“Example: Let’s do this tomorrow at 10, rather than. We should consider maybe doing it later.”
2. Be Concise
Being concise means saying what you need to convey in the fewest words possible without sacrificing meaning.
How to be concise:
- Eliminate any redundant information.
- Get right to the point.
- Do not give a long explanation.
- Remove unnecessary information.
People value messages that respect their time. When you need to make judgments quickly, concise communication is useful in meetings, emails, and discussions.
3. Be Complete
Everything that is necessary for someone to comprehend and react is included in a comprehensive communication.
Use 5 W’s and H to make sure your message is complete:
- What?
- Where?
- When?
- Who?
- Why?
- How?
Example: “Meet me at 3 PM in the boardroom to review the project report,” rather than “Meet me later.”
Good communication helps to minimize misunderstandings and discourages follow-up inquiries.
4. Be Correct
Your message should be correct, accurate, free from mistakes, and truthful.
This includes:
- Accurate dates, directions, and names.
- Proper spelling and grammar.
- Accurate information and facts.
A clear message fosters trust and builds a good relationship.
Why do these 4 rules matter?
When you implement the 4 rules of communication, you do not just improve how you talk, you improve how you interact with other people.
These concepts assist you to:
- Develop more solid connections.
- Reduce miscommunications.
- Builds trust.
- Fostering strong relationships.
- Promote successful outcomes.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the four C’s of communication requires intention, releasing old habits, and letting them go. Make an effort to be clear, comprehensive, accurate, concise, and considerate, your communication becomes more powerful and effective.
These simple rules may allow you to confidently share ideas and develop stronger relationships with people around you.