Communication

What has prompted me to write on Communication is the recent thanks-giving speech given by U.S.President Barrack Obama accepting the Nobel Peace Prize. I listened to the speech from start to finish. It was indeed very amazing. Most of the U.S. Presidents are good communicators, but Barrack Obama is in a class of his own. His choice of words,diction,physical gestures, the deliberater gap given during sentences etc make his speeches extra-ordinary. Even his speech at the time of oath taking ws remarkable. The Chief Justice stuttered a little when pronouncing a muslim name "Hussain". In view of this, there was a second Oath taking ceremony within the precincts of White House.

One of the main reasons why Obama became the President is his Communication Skills. Without good communication,points of view expressed, will not be understood by others. I have great admiration for Obama. I am also impressed with his skills in International Diplomacy. There is a saying in Tamil "Palukkum Kaval, Poonaikum Thozhan" (care-taker for milk and a friend of cat). Obama is managing Us-China and INDO--_US relationship with such a fine balance. US recognised the importance of India at the time Bush, a Republican President. It is good that a Democratic President like Obama is following the good work. I was very pleaased when Mr Manmohan Singh became the first leader to be given a white-housew official dinner after assumption of office by Obama.

What is communication?

There are two aspects of Comunication--spoken word and the written word. While Obama!s spoken words are extra-ordinary, we may not come to know about his writing skils.

Effective communication is all about conveying your ideas/messages clearly and unambiguously. By successfully getting your message across, you convey your thughts and ideas effectively. When not successful. the thoughts and ideas sought to be expressed do not necessarily reflect what you think,causing a communications break-down and creating road-blocks that stand in the way of your goals--both personally and professionally.Not coommunicating properly or not chhoosing the correct words may causes problems even between husband and wife or between friends. In such a situation, we may have to offer a detailed explanation, as an after-thought.

Being able to communicate is therefore essential if you want to build a successful career.

What are the ingredients of a good communication?. Take care of the following:

1)What is the message?

2)What is the audience you are addressing to?

3) What is your perception of how your message wil be received?

4)Circumstance surrounding the communication--such as situational and cultural context. An example of wrong communication is asking for a pay rise when the Company has just announced a big loss.

I would advise youngsters to pay serious attention to developing communication skills. Develop this habit among children also. Give them a simple subject everyday and ask the children to speak five sentences on the subject. If you continue this for a year. they would have developed their communication skills. Also, when you are called to speak in an office party, do not feel shy. In your speech, give some interesting anecdotes.

Please remember that the ability to communicate is the primary factor that distinguishes human beings from animals.

And it is this ability to communicate that distinguishes one individual from another. A good communicator is always a happpy and successful social being.

Love,

V.K.Balasubramanian

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