Communication

I've always considered Communication to be a key part of interacting with others; and I'm always looking for ways to develop better communication skills.  That's what first prompted me to obtain "How to Get a Smart Mouth - The Power of Using Your Words Wisely" by Robin Chaddock.

As I'm reading the book, it's interesting to see that the value I place on character and integrity also applies to Communication, just as it does to Leadership, as I previously found.  A person of integrity, speaks the truth, with consistency between words and actions.  In contrast, when people do not keep their word or promises, they break our trust.  "When trust leaves a relationship, that relationship is in danger" and "Once trust has been broken, while we may still care about the other person, we start to emotionally distance and protect ourselves from them."

So far, in the first few chapters, the book enforces and clarifies some of what our communication with others is affected by.  For example, beliefs, distractions, and perceptions can "blur" communication.  Also, how I communicate with myself can affect how I communicate with others.  That is, Am I honest with myself or am I constantly in denial or lying to myself?; or Do I give myself good positive critique or do I only focus on the negative?   "The way I think of and talk to myself sets the stage for how I view and treat others."

I do hope that this book will help me to be a better communicator.  One of the chapter titles "Don't Let Your Mind Eat Junk Food" is a good reminder to keep our mind on things above.   It brings to mind what the Bible said "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart." (Matthew 15:18a).  So, a somewhat simple yet profound insight is that what comes into our hearts affects what comes out of our mouths.