Sequoyah and King Sejong

Since earliest history billions of men and women have inhabited our planet. The percentage as to how many of those people, including present day, remain known to any outside their circles has got to be astronomically low. Let's face it: few of us become famous in the sense that our names and exploits are passed down from one generation to the next. This reality, however, is not to say that those of us who remain unknown - as defined by history - have not and do not make significant contributions. In fact, my own sense is one could argue that the tiny number of people who do gain lasting fame is not reflective of the number of men and women who have contributed to the progress of us as a species.

In the field of communication, there are two such men I wish to highlight for the contributions they made. They are Sequoyah, a Cherokee Indian who lived in the late and early nineteenth century, and King Sejong of Korea who graced our planet in the early to mid-1400 A.D. I only recently became aware of their efforts via author Jared Diamond's great work, "Guns, Germs, and Steel." Sequoyah and Sejong were pioneers in the field of writing as a result of their efforts to create alphabets. Today, of course, all of us sit in front of a computer or pull out a note pad and compose all kinds of messages. We do so by making use of our "ABCs." These two men strove to create symbols from which others could communicate via writing. They did this at a time when, from their perspective, no other symbols or alphabets existed.

Sequoyah was an illiterate Indian who provided blacksmithing services. He had his own business and came upon the idea of creating written symbols to help him keep track of his customers and his financial transactions with them. Professional linguists came to praise this singular man for his efforts. King Sejong, many years earlier, devised what was called the han'gul alphabet that featured, among other things, the grouping of letters by syllables into square blocks and shapes of consonant letters that depicted the position in which a person's lips or tongue are held to promounce them. I recognize these two largely unknown men because of what they did and because they represent the many that played roles in enabling all of us to advance and maintain lasting connections.

Confession

My name is Daniel Walsch and I am a cynic. In all fairness, I did not start out that way. At one point in my life I believed people, generally, were motivated by things other than their own self interest. I believed people did try to carry on their lives with the idea of supporting the greater good. In fact, over the years I have actually seen people take actions that had nothing to do with improving their own lot in life. And, truth-be-told, I still see it today on rare occasions. But for me, a new truth has pushed its way into my line of vision and I can't seem to shake it. Simply put, it is this: actions people take are driven by their own self interest.

I take no joy or pride in coming clean with this perspective. I have been carrying it around now longer than I care to admit and it has not been fun. People say and do things and I immediately suspect their motives. Sure, this person just held a door for me, I think. But what was their real purpose for doing that? Maybe behind that seemingly nice deed was an effort to try and impress the person they were with. And why did that other driver let me move my car in front of them? Surely being courteous just for the sake of being courteous was not the reason. There just had to be a hidden agenda to their kind act, I reason.

What makes being cynical particularly tough for a person like me is that I work in the world of communication, a field that supposedly focuses on building and maintaining relationships between various publics. How can I reconcile trying to build bridges while secretly not trusting what I am being told by each side and not trusting actions each side is taking to solidify their efforts to cooperate? To say the least, it is a challenge. For me, and perhaps other communicators who wrestle with the same inner demon, it is one we will never overcome. With that in mind, then, this perhaps is all the more reason why we need to work extra hard at ensuring that honesty dominates our actions as well as those with whom we work.

Credibility Lost

As if any of us need another lesson on the importance of credibility, along comes the scandal involving Rupert Murdoch's media empire. At this point, it would be difficult to find any one not familiar with this still-growing scandal. It began with reporters working for the "News of the World" who apparently into hacked the telephones of a number of people. Even though "News of the World" has been closed down, people are beginning to be arrested and Murdoch himself has had to testify before the British Parliament, the melody of the unscrupulous behavior of many of those who were on the Murdoch payroll lingers on.

One point that has struck me about this media mess is that apparently many people, including men and women in positions of authority and influence, were aware that a number of the "News of the World" reporters did not carry out their jobs in an ethical manner on a regular basis. Though these men and women, many of whom are elected officials, would grumble about it from time to time and occasionally allude to it in public settings, the so-called work ethic of various reporters was tolerated and allowed to continue. It took the incident in which the reporters were found to have hacked into the telephone answering machine of a missing girl (later found to be dead) and then erased her messages to become public to make it safe for these same authorities to finally speak out forcefully against what had been going on.

Yes, the culture within "News of the World" was one of journalistic permissiveness. But the culture surrounding what went on in that media outlet was just as corrupt. Those on the outside looking in knew what was happening and they chose to look the other way. Thus, they, too, share in the responsibility for what transpired. It is no surprise, then, that the general public is reacting with such outrage and is especially challenging the credibility of those who they thought were looking out for their best interests. Everyone in this giant mess is now tainted and for good reason. Credibility is not to be taken lightly. Once lost, is it ever truly regained?

Communication and Conflicting Agendas

In these days of expanding populations, more people feeling disenfranchised, the rich and powerful doing all they can to maintain their status and restrict others from joining their ranks, and men and women seeking security and stability often in ways that run counter to each concept, this troubled world of ours needs better ways to establish unity of purpose. This is why, if I were undisputed king of the world, I would put out an all points bulletin for good communicators. These people would need to be firm believers in the principle that all of us have much more in common than not and that while our perspectives, biases and even agendas may be different, continuing to move toward the same overriding goals of health, happiness, freedom and peace is in the best interest of all.

One may wonder if those goals are even possible when people often have their own definitions of what they are. I happen to think they are, particularly if folks with opposing beliefs approach each other with respect and openness. I have no problem with "agreeing to disagree." People can live in harmony and still disagree on various matters. (Don't all married couples do that to a certain extent?) Unfortunately, it seems in far too many instances in today's world that seemingly straightforward concept is not enough for some publics, particularly those that feel passionately about certain things.

The head-butting going on right now between Republicans and Democrats over whether to raise the nation's debt ceiling is a great example of this. There are members from each side that wish to impose their agenda onto the other rather than seek compromise or produce a plan which reflects key elements from both perspectives. As undisputed king of the world, I would hire communicators to help lead those individuals away from their destructive mentalities and toward a place where harmony based on joint giving and tolerance presides. Does any one doubt we need each other? But how can those needs be adequately met if we are not even willing to give and take on matters of vital importance?

Beware of Anti-Communicators

I am going to make the assumption that the leadership of our country is comprised of grown-ups. Further, I am going to go out on a limb and believe that the majority of these grown-ups are mature and responsible and go into each day with the notion of wanting to do the right thing in all they say and do. After all, each of these men and women hold important positions of power in which they represents thousands and, in some cases, millions of people. With these beliefs of mine in-place, this is why I am having trouble understanding the behavior of these adults as they currently debate whether to raise our nation's debt limit. Over the past month or so, since this debate has intensified, we have seen a number of these grown-ups participate in name calling and lying and some have even walked out of the conversations. And all this has occurred in a climate in which the participants agree the debt limit should be raised!

As a result, following this debate is like watching an episode of "The Twilight Zone." These so-called leaders have the important responsibility of ensuring that our government continues to function in order to meet the many vital obligations it has to its citizens. Yet a number of them are engaging in behavior that that is negative and destructive. Do they really believe they are impressing any one? Do they really believe they are helping advance the debate or are serving our nation adequately when they purposefully try to erode the dialog between leaders of both or our nation's political parties? My guess is the ones engaged in what I consider to be destructive behavior do not see their actions in the same way I do. In fact, they probably feel their actions are justified. How sad.

Communication-wise, there is nothing worse for the process than when participants devote their energies toward undermining good-faith efforts. Sure, people disagree. Without question, people bring different perspectives to the table. That is the norm. But what is maddening to watch is when some of those same people are so blinded by their own perspectives that they choose to harm the good-faith communicating and consensus building in which others are engaged. Perhaps this is one more reminder that just because a person holds a position of authority or heavy responsibility does not mean they are particularly good at communicating. In fact, they could even be an anti-communicator. That kind of person does not do any one any good.

The Happy Memory Syndrome

I would like to introduce something I call "the happy memory syndrome." I do not know anyone who does not take pleasure in a pleasant memory. Thinking back on a happy time or moment makes all of us feel warm. These reflections transform us back to periods that give us joy. Of course, the older we get the more "happy memories" we accumulate even if, to a certain extent, we might tend to embellish or exaggerate them a bit. Nevertheless, they serve as our own private treasure boxes that are ours alone to enjoy whenever and how often we like. Also, they can help give us temporary refuge from what might be unpleasant situations in our present.

It is no surprise that many communication strategies revolve around taping into a person's happy memories. For example, one can turn on the television at any hour of the day or night and not have to wait long before a commercial appears that attempts to trigger moments from our past that were joyful, fun and loving. Coupled with these images is the message that those happy times can be resurrected today if we purchase a particular product or vote for a certain candidate. What could be more simple than that? Who among us would not want to have our present days filled with nothing but the kind of blissful times we used to enjoy?

Not surprisingly, many of these messages are quite successful. By taping into positive memories from our own realities, communicators are often able to motivate our actions in ways that bring benefit to their clients. From the stand point of the communicator, I have one note of caution. Communicators need to be careful not to mislead their public by going too far down the nostalgia path. Their messages need to maintain a proper and accurate balance between the so-called happiness of yesteryear and challenges of today. Playing too heavily to a person's "happy memory syndrome" can present a false portrait of where they are in their world of today.

Survival Versus Acceptance

Humans have several fundamental instincts that represent an interesting challenge for communicators. The two instincts to which I am referring are survival and acceptance. The first speaks to our desire - our need - to live and get through any situation we face in any way we can. The second speaks more to our need to belong and have others with whom we can interact, mingle and relate. The challenge is found in the reality that at times the two instincts do not coincide. There are circumstances in which our need for one runs counter to our need for the other.

As a timely example, I point to our current presidential election cycle, which is currently at the beginning stages. Republican candidates are working hard to survive in their quest to enhance their profile, raise more money and, ultimately, obtain the nomination of their party. In this effort, each one is striving to gain the acceptance of various groups or constituencies that will embrace them and provide them with the active support they require to defeat the other Republican candidates. But when one seeks the acceptance of a particular group, they also risk rejection and survival. The challenge of the candidates is to gain the acceptance of the right groups that will give them the momentum they require to win this survival competition.

Each candidate has a team of communication experts on their staffs who face the challenge of coming up with strategies that will ensure the two instincts are in sync. Already, we are seeing indicators that some of the candidates are succeeding while others are not. Is this the responsibility of the communicators? No. But what is their responsibility is devising ways for the candidates to be properly showcased in order that their message is heard as loudly and clearly as possible. Ultimately, the candidate and their message determine their survival. The communicators are present to help ensure the instincts at-play remain compatible.

Savoring the Experience

A budding graduate student recently shared a dilemma with me that he is having. It pertains to a concern that he might not like the area of study he is considering and, as a result, end up having to switch majors and pursue a new academic focus. But doing so, he feared, would delay the completion of his graduate studies, thus possibly compromising the start of his own career plans. Based on the scenario as he outlined it, I could and can certainly understand his concerns. Having recently completed an academic program myself, I can relate to the desire to finish something of that nature as quickly as possible.

Having said that, however, I have come to view education much like a good wine. To get the most out of it, it should be savored. While emptying a glass of wine in one gulp might satisfy a quick need, doing so will not enable one to fully appreciate the drink's essence or taste. While I am not necessarily advocating that students should stretch out their academic studies any longer than is necessary, I do believe education is made to be savored, too. Its reward lies not in the quick fix it provides, but in the long-term benefit it provides any individual whose goal it is to have a successful career and fulfilling life.

Education parallels communication in this regard. Connections or relationships are long-term ventures. While passing someone in the hall and exchanging quick smiles and greetings might technically be classified as communicating, the reality is that this encounter in no way compares to having an actual conversation with that same person in which information and perspectives are exchanged. Granted, sometimes interactions are brief. But the ones that enhance our lives most are the ones in which we have invested time and effort. As I told the graduate student, education does nothing but make our lives better and improve us as individuals. No matter what specific academic program he pursues, enjoy the experience take pride in the effort. The same, I could have added, is true of communicating.