Old Friends

Recently I reconnected with an old friend that I first met over thirty years ago. As we have not seen each other in easily over twelve years, getting together again after all that time was a genuine delight. We met over dinner and had a lot of fun catching up with each other, talking about our families, discussing and solving many of the world's problems, and reminding each other how much better life can seem when one is surrounded by those they love and trust. It was a good time. This overdue reunion brought to mind the benefits of good communication.

What do I mean by "good communication?" These are those who view it being those times when there is agreement or no disagreement between parties or publics. I do not. I view it as being those times when respectful dialog occurs that results in shared meaning or mutual understanding. Agreement or consensus, of course, is the ultimate goal. But it does not have to happen for there to be good communication. I view public relations practitioners as being in the relationship business. As a result, it is their job to lay the groundwork for dialog to occur. It is not necessarily their job to create or manufacture agreement.

The old friend I saw the other day and I do not agree on everything. Politics is one example of a topic where our perspective differ. But that's ok. What is most important is that we are communicating as a result of common interests, priorities and regard for each other. Good communication makes that possible and effective communication helps lead to actual consensus. Make no mistake: sustained relationship ride on the wings of good communication. Without it, we would all be traveling solo in this world. What fun would that be?