Having Impact

The question is not about whether words matter. Is there any one who honestly believes they don't? The real issue revolves around two questions in-one: Under what circumstances do they matter the most? and What steps can be taken to ensure when we do use them that they have the most impact? (Quick aside: Obviously as we all use words, these questions apply to all of us.) The first question is more situational. There are times when we are speaking when being heard and understood is important. For some, these "times" may be all-the-time. For others, not so much. Either way, as individuals we know when we most want to make a meaningful connection with others.

This is why the second of those two questions is really the key to effective communication. Packaging is a vital element here. If one is an entertainer, for instance, then lighting is often used to, in a sense, set the mood for a performance. Bright lights highlight one type of presentation, while dim lights signify another. Sure, a singer can perform a sad song with bright lights, but it won't have the same impact if those same lights are turned down. This is a point that professional communicators pay a lot of attention to. They are constantly looking for ways to better showcase their clients or messages.

It should not be any different for so-called non-professional communicators. For those folks, and I include myself among them, we should pay attention to the "how" of our communication efforts as much as we do the "what." My wife and I talk all the time, but sometimes we do not properly hear what the other is saying. Why? One of us may distracted or not recognize right away that what is being shared needs to be remembered. This is why the sender of a message needs to take steps to ensure they need the attention of the one on the receiving end. "Can we talk?" or "Do you have a minute?" represent good first steps. Our words will not necessarily have impact unless we take steps to properly set the stage for them.