The Art of Communication

In one of his state papers to King George III of England, revoluntary Thomas Jefferson wrote, "....the whole art of government consists in the art of being honest. Only aim to do your duty, and mankind will give you credit where you fail....." With a slight alteration, this statement, written nearly 240 years ago, speaks to the core of communication. Specifically, it is art of communication that consists in the art of being honest. Putting aside all the fancy graphics, colorful language, bright lights or gripping backdrops that often accompany acts of communication these days, is what one is saying the truth?

Much of what drives communication these days is an attempt to persuade. Professional communicators strive to motivate consumers to buy a particular product, support a cause or candidate or adopt a certain belief. Often their efforts are slick and efficient and in many cases successful. This, of course, makes the clients of the communicators very happy as it helps them make money, gain greater visibility and/or attain higheer levels of power. There is nothing wrong with any of these things. Who among any of us does not wish for any or all of them at some points in our lives? But those stations are only meaningful if they are attained with truthful effort.  

Professional communicators are individuials, too. At the end of each day, they go home to families and friends who view them as proponents of virtue. These family members and friends trust this professional who happens to communicate for a living is a person who does so in ways that are upfront, honest and without deception. If they are wrong, then the communicator is betraying the art of communication. Further, they are betraying those who hold them in high regard. Communcation's essence rides on the shoulders of the professional as this person is its most visible soldier. Ideally, this should not be viewed as a burden but rather as a privilege,