Human communication is the art of transmitting information, ideas and attitudes.
The art of communication requires skills. Some skills are basic instinct while others have to be learned. When a baby is born, she/he is already a communicator. The loud cry after birth is human communication and the message could be the infant’s experience of pain. This is a transmission of attitude. From day one of our earthly existence, we all begin to communicate.
Transmitting Information
The art of transmitting information is specific. It can be verbal, written or through sign language. Whichever, it is a skill to be learned so that we can understand and be understood. Communication is possible when a sense of commonness is reached between the sender and the receiver of the message. Without the sense of commonness, it becomes miscommunication.
In our family, is information spontaneously asked and given between father and mother, parents and children and among brothers and sisters? Love can easily develop with the free flow of information. It is the means to grow in relationship. What is our pattern of transmitting information? Does it lead to mutual respect and appreciation among the members? In our place of work, in our organizations and associations, how do we get and pass information that can benefit the member? A community, an organization can be privileged places to grow intellectually, morally and spiritually. The connecting line is an effective transmission of information.
Transmitting Ideas
The art of transmitting is more challenging. Everyone has ideas resulting from one’s exposure to the events in society, happenings in community, and activities at home and in the place of work. Aside from the actual realities of life as source of ideas, we also get virtual realities coming from radio and television programs, movies, newspapers, magazines, comics and books, from the internet, video games and through mobile phone texting.
Are we able to talk about our ideas to family members, friends, relatives and co-workers? Ideas that are meaningful to the resource person and to others after a thorough discussion could become seeds for good action. Great works start from good ideas. Communicating an idea and having it discussed openly will test its usefulness for oneself and others. So many fruitful relationships can grow when we learn the art of transmitting ideas!
Transmitting Attitudes
The art of transmitting attitudes is the most difficult to manage. Often times it is not consciously done, like a cry when one is in pain. It is dictated by human instinct. The receiver is either positive or negative towards the message. It becomes problematic when the receiver cannot distinguish the source from the message. As we mature in age, we learn to gain control of our human behaviour. We become more aware of our distinct personality and our pattern of relating to persons and in reacting to stimuli.
The transmission of behavior creates greater impact than any other form of communication. It is a communication of life that Jesus in the Gospel has been telling us. By our deeds people will know or deny the love of God. By our actions, the face of Jesus is seen or made blurred. In any state of life and in every circumstances we find ourselves, we can live as Christians by the way we transmit information, ideas and attitudes. The greater the communication, the deeper is the relationship with God and neighbor.
Vol. 3 No. 2 April-June 2003
Consolata Manding, FSP
Communication builds Relationship
Human communication is the art of transmitting information, ideas and attitudes.
The art of communication requires skills. Some skills are basic instinct while others have to be learned. When a baby is born, she/he is already a communicator. The loud cry after birth is human communication and the message could be the infant’s experience of pain. This is a transmission of attitude. From day one of our earthly existence, we all begin to communicate.
Transmitting Information
The art of transmitting information is specific. It can be verbal, written or through sign language. Whichever, it is a skill to be learned so that we can understand and be understood. Communication is possible when a sense of commonness is reached between the sender and the receiver of the message. Without the sense of commonness, it becomes miscommunication.
In our family, is information spontaneously asked and given between father and mother, parents and children and among brothers and sisters? Love can easily develop with the free flow of information. It is the means to grow in relationship. What is our pattern of transmitting information? Does it lead to mutual respect and appreciation among the members? In our place of work, in our organizations and associations, how do we get and pass information that can benefit the member? A community, an organization can be privileged places to grow intellectually, morally and spiritually. The connecting line is an effective transmission of information.
Transmitting Ideas
The art of transmitting is more challenging. Everyone has ideas resulting from one’s exposure to the events in society, happenings in community, and activities at home and in the place of work. Aside from the actual realities of life as source of ideas, we also get virtual realities coming from radio and television programs, movies, newspapers, magazines, comics and books, from the internet, video games and through mobile phone texting.
Are we able to talk about our ideas to family members, friends, relatives and co-workers? Ideas that are meaningful to the resource person and to others after a thorough discussion could become seeds for good action. Great works start from good ideas. Communicating an idea and having it discussed openly will test its usefulness for oneself and others. So many fruitful relationships can grow when we learn the art of transmitting ideas!
Transmitting Attitudes
The art of transmitting attitudes is the most difficult to manage. Oftentimes it is not consciously done, like a cry when one is in pain. It is dictated by human instinct. The receiver is either positive or negative towards the message. It becomes problematic when the receiver cannot distinguish the source from the message. As we mature in age, we learn to gain control of our human behavior. We become more aware of our distinct personality and our pattern of relating to persons and in reacting to stimuli.
The transmission of behavior creates greater impact than any other form of communication. It is a communication of life that Jesus in the Gospel has been telling us. By our deeds people will know or deny the love of God. By our actions, the face of Jesus is seen or made blurred. In any state of life and in every circumstances we find ourselves, we can live as Christians by the way we transmit information, ideas and attitudes. The greater the communication, the deeper is the relationship with God and neighbor.
