We should communicate more often and more clearly. Let me highlight this with a humorous story by Idries Shah (Tales of the Dervishes)
Once upon a time, there existed a city in which there were only two parallel streets.
One day, a person crossed from one street to the other, and residents of the other street noticed that his eyes were full of tears.
“Someone has probably died on the other street!” – one of them cried, and everyone started crying. The rumour grew and grew, and the residents of the other street were soon convinced that their neighbours had some gross misfortune.
They were uncomfortable asking questions, and so, even though no one really knew what had happened, everyone believed that the neighbours were in some kind of big trouble. So they all cried loudly.
In time, the other side heard the loud cries from the neighbours, and started to panic. “A war probably started on the other street… and it will soon reach us” they said. All citizens decided to immediately leave to protect their lives from the imminent disaster.
When the people who were crying loudly noticed that the other street was empty – they got scared too and decided to ran away as well.
And so, both communities left their homes and ran in different directions.
Centuries have passed since then. There is nothing but ruins left of that city.
And on two far sides of the former city, there are villages, the inhabitants of which pass, from generation to generation, the legend of how once the whole population of the doomed city had to leave it in order to save itself from a huge disaster.
The real story was that, before passing from one street to the other street, the man with the teary eyes – well, he was peeling onions.
Effective communication fosters better understanding, strengthens relationships, and enhances productivity. Frequent communication ensures that everyone stays informed, aligned, and able to address issues before they escalate. When we communicate clearly, it reduces the chances of misunderstandings, confusion, and mistakes, saving time and effort.
In personal relationships, regular and transparent communication builds trust, deepens connections, and prevents unnecessary conflict. In professional settings, it helps teams collaborate more effectively, align on goals, and execute tasks with greater precision. Ultimately, communicating more often and clearly leads to stronger connections, smoother processes, and better outcomes in every aspect of life.
Communication Skills Workshop for Hindalco, Belagavi.
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