Every day we interact with hundreds of people across dozens of platforms, but how can a meaningful conversation help your business?
The instant and omnipresent world of communication has increased our capacity to connect on a perfunctory level, but in some cases has thwarted our capacity to have real and meaningful face-to-face conversations.
The two forms of communication -- virtual and physical -- can work in tandem, but the physical kind obviously takes a bit more effort, but most often results in a far more meaningful experience.
A recent article in The New York Times, Your Phone vs Your Heart, mirrored some of these observations. In particular, the article explored how we can actually "re-wire" our heart and brain to become more secluded. It contends, "If you don't regularly exercise your ability to connect face to face, you'll eventually find yourself lacking some of the basic biological capacity to do so." In summary, if you don't go out of your way to form meaningful, personal friendships beyond the virtual ones, you may lose the ability to do so in the future. A sort of "use it or lose it" model. What was also intriguing about the article was that through these connections, you actually build up your biological capacity to not only empathize but also improve your health.
Heidegger probably had it right when he made the prescient statement, "Technology makes us at home everywhere and nowhere [at the same time]." We are more connected than ever, yet we remain walled off behind our smartphones, mobile devices and computer screens. Perhaps our communication tools are more cosmetic than we think; they have yet to master the ancient and inimitable art of human contact.
Your success is determined in large part by your ability to have a conversation. You can be the best at what you do, but if you’re not communicating effectively with clients, staff and the market, then you’re missing opportunities.There are many different ways to look at communication in the small-business world — from the individual formats such as writing and speaking, to different contexts such as client communication and employee management. Each and every day you will be required to flex your communication muscles and interact; a bad conversation could spell disaster for an employee relationship, a customer or your business. Alternatively, the right words at the right time could propel your business into places you didn’t think possible and can deliver opportunities that were not available before.
We should all stay inspired with ideas and innovation, creating great things!
Karen Salmansohn once said 'Choose to focus your time, energy and conversation around people who inspire you, support you and help you to grow you into your happiest, strongest, wisest self.'
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Comments
Michael Toebe
2 years ago #7
Skillful communication requires practice, observation, listening, interest, questions and more listening. It also requires a willingness to invest it regularly and practice. The value is immense when done well.
Geoff Hudson-Searle
2 years ago #6
#5
Thank you Jerry for your wonderful comments :-) I hope all is well with you!
Jerry Fletcher
2 years ago #5
Geoff, Somehow your wonderful accent makes these observations all the more powerful. Well put.
Geoff Hudson-Searle
2 years ago #4
#3
Absolutely Ignacio Orna (Nacho) a good communication is a meaningful conversation. Have a Great Week!
(Nacho) Ignacio Orna
2 years ago #3
A good communication, is the real solution
Geoff Hudson-Searle
2 years ago #2
An absolute pleasure Donald, I am pleased you enjoyed the Buzz, Meaningful Conversations is a huge subject in today's digital world. Meaningful Conversations = Meaningful Outcomes.
Donald 🐝 Grandy PN
2 years ago #1
Great topic, and very relevant in todays personal and business world. Thanks for sharing @Geoff Hudson-Searle.