The complexity of deciphering communication.
An intrinsic part of being socially connected is to communicate effectively. Particularly at the age of readily available mass communication, it is important not only to convey but to properly process information.
That includes absorbing digesting re-considering and acting upon communication. “Repeat after me” has been used as a technique to reinforce important messages since the beginning of mankind. Usually condensed to a simple and easily understood sentences or chants these types of communication have been an effective way of persuasion. “Repeat after me” is still practiced across the world day after day in Churches, Mosques, Temples, Gyms, factories and political rallies.
This mindset excursion, ventures beyond the communication rituals and the incessant repetition. Trying to understand why some communication items are easier to convey than others and what can we learn from it. “Effective communication at the age of communication inflation.”
Recognizing the decisive role communication has in the age of mass communication, is an open invitation for many to engage in improving their communication skills. While communication styles change at an astonishing rate, we are also experiencing inflation of over claims and misrepresentations. Recent polling for the European parliament testifies that fact.
Empirical research in the USA and the Asia Pacific region, suggests that miscommunication exceeds the occasions where communication has been interpreted in the way that it was intended. Though the data is vastly particularly when cross-continental communication has taken place, there are very few cases where an audience concluded similar outcomes. It appears that miscommunication is particularly severe when there is a cultural gap between the communicator and the audience.
Probed observation. While the command of a common language and the ability to articulate effectively are preconditions to convey a message, the interpretations differ considerably from person to person. Unverified probing before, and after a conference indicated that by far the biggest obstacle to achieving a common understanding is the predisposition of the audience. An audience comes to an event with a predisposed expectation as to what it would get out of the presentation. Their goals are to receive confirmation of righteousness. While the same principles of self-interest apply to the presenters, their expectations are inherently different. The aim is to persuade. No matter how well-prepared the attending audience is, as it receives the actual narrative, the information will be augmented to fit the expectations. In most cases, this happens subconsciously.
An added dimension of misunderstanding is the contradicting statements made by the presenters during and after a presentation. Hence, the chances of being misunderstood are far greater than the chances of being understood. The unwritten rule is that the score of effectiveness is measured by how the communication has been perceived by the audience and not by how it has been narrated. Contrary to this rule, the attention of speakers is shifting more towards presentation skills and style, as opposed to finding a narrative approach that would get the content through.
Seasoned presenters are encouraging casual pre-meetings “ice-breakers” where they can roam the attendees and probe for potential pitfalls before the actual presentation takes place. This enables the change of the narrative and adds explanations to some of the points in the presentation. Equally important are the post-presentation “chats” that take place right after the presentation. Their aim is to collect new that might be helpful in amending the narrative for the future.
Investigative methodology: A council of communication researchers conducted an unpublicized probe regarding interpretations of communication. They mingled amongst the audience during the coffee break and probed the net takeaway.
The influence of changing values on communication perception. So much of our existence depends on the mutual understanding and the right interpretation of the communicated, that a consorted effort to reduce misunderstanding is warranted. However, backtracking on the communicated content is taken for granted, even though there is plenty of evidence that backtracking and making amendments after the fact, is at the expense of believability and effectiveness.
The influence of REBO closeness on the effectiveness of communication. The reactive empirical bond-order (REBO) is a function for calculating the potential energy of chemical bonds between people. Telepathy could be considered such a bond. In the interest of finding solutions for better communication results, researchers identified some links between REBO and amicable interpretation of communication. Though there isn’t sufficient trial data to draw conclusions from, it confirms the suggestion that cultural alliances play a bigger role in finding a compatible understanding than linguistic skills.
The role of belief in interpreting a communicated message. Peoples’ need to believe has a profound effect on everything, including on the interpretation of communication. Belief provides affirmation of righteousness and self-confidence. Belief is far more powerful than any other form of persuasion. A deeply felt belief is above and beyond any proven facts and justifications. Belief is the impetus needed for people to react and act upon. Belief can be inspirational insofar that it enables people to do things they never thought they could. And at the same time, a belief can be misguiding.
Assessing the relative advantage or disadvantage of becoming a believer happens at a subconscious level. Believers’ Expectations transcend logic.
After the use of chanting and slogan repetitions, lecturing has become an effective method of getting content across to an audience. People bestow belief credit on a person that reiterates their beliefs.
A preceding reputation of the communicator plays a crucial role in the degree of readiness to absorb communication. Even though the term "disruptive communication" gains in popularity the effectiveness of disruptive communication depends entirely on the readiness of the audience to absorb it.
What can and should be practiced in order to achieve better results in communication comprehension. Practicing the not so popular discipline of listening, and abstaining judgment until an evaluation process has taken place in the brain. In order to receive a message, it is imperative to suspend one's own predisposed opinions. In most cases, however, setting aside one’s own opinion is a demanding task because to some extent it negates personal righteousness. It feels like one’s own integrity is being challenged. In setting aside preconceived dispositions a person needs to ask where this preconceived opinion came from? Whether under the current circumstances these perceptions are still valid?
The next stage of scrutiny would be to examine whether a change of mind is acceptable or not? These kinds of questions help eliminate communication comprehension obstacles.
Most of the time, our understanding is standardized by what is commonly acceptable. It is embedded in the existential values that a person has. These pre-conceptions are made of different values and they are constantly shifting. To retain a certain degree of uncontested acceptance. Subconsciously we reserve ourselves the right to change our minds as long as our self-esteem is retained. When the battle for winning a point gets fierce we should keep in mind that a reasonable argument is more effective than a forced persuasion.
Desirable: Getting elected through anonymous voting. Undesirable: Pushing a mandate through threats
The most important assets in communication comprehension are your ears. It is not what is said that matters but how it has been perceived. The effectiveness of communication should be measured by how it is perceived, not by reach and frequency. It is the perception of communication that leads to action.
Lessons learned: The clan’s influence. Communication is a great bridge that crosses the gaps between individuals. Communication within the clan seems to be the easiest to bridge, mainly because of the similarity in living conditions and common experiences. And yet, miscommunication abounds, even amongst people in one and the same community.
The charm offensive. Humans have an innate need for social closeness, partly because of insecurities & the recognition of imperfection. As ambiguous as sympathy is, it is also a powerful incentive to pay attention, absorb and digest communication.
Communication has the extraordinary ability to generate sympathy and affection. Applying humbling humanity while coordinating a plausible narrative and gestures has a disarming effect on an audience. Let them embrace your mind and let them elect you to become their leader on the basis of your commitment to them.
The forgiveness factor. Intimacy accommodates a greater tolerance towards miscommunication. Depending on the range of forgiveness, the outcome could contribute to reduced misunderstanding and also gained insights.
The common thread that connects. Finding that thread of sympathy that connects the speaker with the audience is useful. It can become a referral point when the discussion becomes tense. The sympathy connection has nothing to do with the actual content of the presentation but it is the ”re-connected.” If a speaker hasn’t found the connecting thread of sympathy to the audience try it is possible to identify a sympathizer within the audience that would energize the audience through an interruptive dialogue.
Shared illusions: Pretending that we all care about "the same thing" is making it seem easy to communicate but in reality, it does not help in the interpretation of the communication. Logarithmic communication achieves exponential reach, but there is no evidence that it is an effective persuader.
Your point of view is much appreciated.
Alex Goslar