ELEMENTS OF COMMUNICATION
As much as communication almost always signifies a transfer of information from one party to the other, communication isn’t always via spoken words.
Sometimes communication is non-verbal. The lack of spoken words doesn’t mean that information is not passed or one party cannot understand the other. As a matter of fact, you’ll find that the closer the relationship the greater the use of non-verbal communication. Think about persons with special needs who may not be able to speak. They use non-verbal communication, proving that communication can be achieved by various means other than words.
The use of facial expressions, gestures, body movements, and tone of voice are other tools employed in communication. According to Albert Mehrabian’s 7-38-55 rule, the meaning is communicated through three main avenues as follows: 7% spoken word, 38% tone of voice, and 55% body language. Your expressions and tone both have a greater impact than what you eventually say. What are you saying, but not saying?
ELEMENTS OF COMMUNICATION
TEMPERAMENT DIFFERENCES – INTROVERTS VS EXTROVERTS
If you are to master the art of communicating effectively, you must learn to master your temperament. Knowing and mastering your temperament helps you understand your strengths and weaknesses. You can then channel these traits to your own advantage.
Temperaments are a person’s natural way of thinking and behaving. It is the combination of inborn traits or inherited genes that subconsciously affect a person’s behaviour. It is the barometer that measures the things happening within us. It is who we are before people have the opportunity of hearing us or relating with us.
That said, it would be ridiculous to imagine that two people who grew up in different circumstances and environments would have similar characteristics or dispositions to life. Yes, it is possible but rare. Therefore, if you will live peacefully with someone whom you love who naturally behaves differently than you do, you have to first understand yourself. Then, you can better see how to apply your own disposition to adequately communicate and cohabit with your partner.
Maturity in marriage demands that one must be ready to change and peacefully cope with the differences in one’s partner—be they physical, mental, psychological, financial, emotional, or spiritual.
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