Communication is in the Air

With the Democrat's convention now underway and the Republican's turn to follow, communication is very much in the air. They talk. We listen. They tell us why they should be the ones who will lead us to better times over the next four years and we make our decisions based on what it is they say. Isn't that the way it works? After all, don't "they" know what's best for us? Don't "they" have the best sense of what troubles us and what can or should be done so that we feel better about our lives and the hurdles we face each and every day? Assuming for a moment that the two parties have the best of intentions and really are coming from a good place, are we confident that they know what is and has been on our minds these past seven years? Have they really been listening to us just as they want us to listen to them now?

Communication at its best is a two-way street. It is circular and comprises an ongoing exchange between two or more parties. If that is not happening, then effective communication is compromised. A government "of the people and by the people" is based on the premise of elected leaders representing the will of the people. If those leaders are not listening, then they are not communicating with us. And if they are not communicating with us, then we are not being represented.

Of course, we want leaders who are honest and knowledgeable and competent. But we also want leaders who are good communicators. That includes being a good listener. As we watch the remainder of the Democrat's convention and then do the same next week with the Republican's showcase, one fundamental question we need to ask ourselves is: Which party has been doing the best listening? Which party and which candidate will be the best listener over the next four years? Theoretically, we place high value on our elected officials being honest individuals. We should place no less emphasis on their ability to listen as well.