Tension

There are those who claim they are at their best when the atmosphere around them is tense. When pressure is in the air, they say this is when they shine. Maybe. Maybe there are those who really are at their best as communicators when others with whom they are interacting are uneasy or on-edge. Does this mean they shine because it is at these moments when they are able to keep their wits about them, thus being the one in the room who continues to think clearly while others are confused and unable to articulate effectively? Again, maybe. Personally, I believe no one is immune from being overwhelmed by pressure from time to time and therefore unable to be clear of trout or effective in what they communicate.

Everyone, at times, is victim to tension. But what about those times when we do, in fact, rise above pressure or high levels of uneasiness? What enables us to do that? What it is that allows us to be communicate effectively when others around us are unable to? Such circumstances speak to times of crisis. It is those times when the routine is either under siege or, in fact, has been toppled. Disruption can and often does knock one off balance. The emotions one feels at these moments can be powerful enough to cause verbal and intellectual disorientation. Tension, when powerful enough, can be enough to compromise one's ability to communicate effectively.

A key way to reduce the chances of falling victim to such times is preparation. Take, for instance, an unwanted occurrence as a fire. How do we know what to do when a fire breaks out? Practice. This is why children in school have fire drills. They practice enough times so the proper steps to take are deeply instilled within me. Thinking clearly during tense times is also a matter of proper training. Proper training comes from devising negative scenarios and then practicing enough to where the ability to communicate well is not lost. None of us are immune to tension. At the same time, this does not mean we have to be a victim of it.