In the training work that I do, regardless of the subject matter, communication is always part of it in some way or another. I recently read the quotation that follows, and it elegantly states a very important communication principle. (Leave it to a poet to be elegant!)
“Saying nothing sometimes says the most.”
- Emily Dickinson, poet
Questions to Ponder
What do you communicate through your silence?
Is that what you want to communicate?
Are you quiet often enough?
Action Steps
Ask more questions and make fewer assertions.
Speak less and listen more today.
My Thoughts
For six words, Emily certainly gives us plenty think about. In the questions and action steps above, I focus on literally talking less. It reminds me of the line from the country song – “you say it best, when you say nothing at all.” Yet, there is more that we can take from the wise words above. They can also remind us that we are always communicating – even without words.
We communicate with our body language.
We communicate with our eyes.
We communicate with our attention (or lack of it).
We communicate with tone of voice, vocal inflection, and everything else about how we say our words.
We communicate always.
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Well said!