Given the importance of communication, how is it that even though we are all experts at communication, having been at it non-stop since birth, our communication skills too often fail us?

This page describes the key points of the importance of communication; a definition of communication and barriers to effective communication. It also refers to two key communication skills: persuasion techniques and influence tactics.

The importance of communication - where to start?

Well, as George Bernard Shaw once said, "the biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place".

The variation on this comment that fits the theme of this page is:

"the biggest problem in communication is the illusion that we are somehow in control of it and can switch it on or off"

As with everything you will encounter in the 100+ pages of free information on this web site, you don't have to agree with a word I say, of course.

Think about it though and make up your own mind.

My experience has taught me that the importance of communication is akin to the importance of breathing - that is, without it we will die.

Our survival is dependent on being able to relate to others and our environment in mutually beneficial ways - impossible without communication and different types of communication.

It could be argued that our evolution would not have been possible without basic interpersonal communication skills, and other types of communication skills, such is the importance of communication.

And that's just the "external" stuff needed for us to relate to our world.

Add in the idea that our internal communication processes (i.e. how and what we communicate with ourselves, inside our selves) have a key role to play in our survival and, for me, the case for the importance of communication is irrefutable.

Clearly, the importance of communication, being such a gigantic subject, is a "mission impossible" topic for a web site page.

However, there are six key aspects that we can summarise that will help us to get a grasp of it:

1. we need a definition of communication:

What is communication?

Most of us have a good awareness of what we believe it is not, from experience.

But, if you look up the word in a dictionary you will find that there isn't ONE definition but many, ranging from social contact to sharing ideas and feelings to hardware means of transmitting messages.

Very helpful, I hear you cry.

However, to facilitate your self improvement, and communication skills, I suggest a practical and helpful definition of communication (click on the link above).

2. we need to be aware of what gets in the way - communication barriers:

The barriers to effective communication are legion and overcoming the barriers of communication has never been easy (which is why, despite having been communicating non-stop since birth, our communication skills too often fail us).

Whilst many of the obstacles lie with others, or something else external to us, many barriers are within ourselves (and overcoming communication barriers of this nature may prove to be the most difficult).

For example:

* our values and beliefs, of course

* our thinking preferences and our positive thinking habits

* our self esteem and self image

* how we harness (or not) our inner resourcefulness.

Click the link above for more on communication barriers.

3. we need to become adept at improving communication skills:

Tips to good communication skills often focus on transmission (e.g. learn to write or speak or present well) and, whilst this is valid and helpful, there are three key communication skills that really make the difference (click the link above for details).

I regard these three communication skills as the golden triangle of communications and if you master them, and keep on improving them, you will undoubtedly know how to improve communication skills.

I also think it is impossible to overstate the importance of communication skills (including non verbal communication skills).

4. the importance of communication means that we need to understand and use persuasion techniques:

As a generalisation, have you ever noticed how great children are at persuading others, any and all others, be they parents, siblings, other family members, imaginary friends or themselves.

It just seems to come naturally to them, doesn't it?

And then they grow up and inherit a whole bunch of inhibitions, usually from us, which buries their natural persuasive talent.

Shame really.

Good news, however, there is a simple four stage process that will enable you to re-capture or further develop your persuasion skills which will benefit you and everyone you encounter.

Click the above link for an explanation.

5. we need to understand and use power and influence tactics skilfully:

Power and influence are inherent in human relationships and essential to the importance of communication.

Those people who recognise, accept and learn this do seem to "get on" and be more in control of their lives (and others) than those who shy away from these topics and find them, in some way, distasteful.

It doesn't have to be like that though. There is nothing inevitably nasty about using your power and influence with others. It all depends on how you do it (click the link above for details).

6. we need to be able to use conflict resolution techniques:

Differences between people and their perceptions of themselves, others and the world they inhabit are, of course, inevitable and necessary.

This, from time to time, is likely to cause conflict.

Conflict can be either a serious liability (in extreme cases leading to war) or an amazing asset that helps us to release and realise more of our potential.

What makes the difference is our skilful use of conflict resolution techniques (click the link above for more details).

Given the importance of communication, if we had no communication skills it is difficult to see how learning and persuasion and conflict resolution could occur at all.
Click here to go to our Home page.

Click here and go to site contents to see a complete list of site pages
and to have direct access to every page.



Go to Top of Page