For quite some time, studies have shown that there has been a significant decline in communication effectiveness. College professors report an increase in papers with text speak, slang and poor grammar. Employers have reported a serious lack of communication skill in their new hire candidates and that it’s one of the reasons employees are not promoted.
You and I notice it every day when we speak to people, and chat with them on social media. Sometimes the lack of communication skill is so apparent we can hardly make out what the person is trying to tell us.
However, it’s not as much a lack of training as it is a lack of interest. The bottom line is that most people today don’t feel communication is a subject that merits any attention. Why?
1. Undivided attention is overrated. Multitasking is a valued skill, but what isn’t generally taken into account is the fact that the less you concentrate on something, the less efficient you are at it. While you may be able to cook dinner, do the laundry and listen to little Johnny’s story, you probably didn’t catch everything he said.
2. The empowerment movement has told us that we have the right to free speech. What they have not mentioned is the responsibility we face for the way in which we deliver that speech. The idea is that I have the right to say whatever I want, but you don’t the right to be offended. However the opposite is also taught: I have the right to be offended by anything you say and you have to make it up to me. It’s a curious and unrealistic way to live.
Unfortunately, this is exactly why so many struggle in relationships, marriages and friendships these days. Relationships are all about communication and very few seek to master it these days. I teach communication skills and for the last ten years there has been a decline both in the skills demonstrated and the interest in learning and applying them. If you’ve found yourself on the receiving end of a misunderstanding, you know what I mean.
It’s time we, as a society, take back the responsibility for what we say and how we say it. It’s time to learn to speak effectively and in grace. It’s time to be proactive…because what’s at stake are our relationships! If you don’t, I can promise you there’s a storm coming! A miscommunication storm that will leave your relationships in its wake.
Check out ArtofEloquence.com and take your stand now! We have studies for PreK through adults and for every communication situation from speech and debate to sharing your faith and social skills!
How did you all do last week with your impromptu speech? What topic did you choose? Please share your experience! This is the last week of the challenge and we are going to step it up one more time. But I know you are all up to it!
