“Once you can communicate with yourself, you will be able to communicate outside with more clarity. The way in is the way out” – Thich Nhat Hanh

We all have a language in which we communicate and express ourselves with the world around us. As the quote says, talk to yourself first and find a way out. The world has gone through a catastrophic shift that the way we spoke earlier has become obsolete in a heartbeat.

The present generation spends hours thinking about what to say. Their primary focus is on quantity rather than quality. What we say and how we say both are equally important. Remodelling the art of effective communication is of great importance and need in today’s generation, with the virtual platform being so commonly used to communicate.

There are certain questions on which we need to initiate discussions–

1. Is the current generation getting opportunities to master their communication skills?
2. Are they aware of which communication skills should be used on a virtual platform?
3. Do youngsters today communicate with Energy, empathy, clarity, and Knowledge?

It’s high time we give importance to these questions with a broader perspective. While remodelling the art of effective communication, the four factors hold a lot of significance- Energy, empathy, clarity & Knowledge. Energy creates interest in any form of communication and actively involves the audience in what you say. Empathy helps to understand your audience. Knowing your listener better helps the communicator to put across the message in a more effective manner. Clarity helps to put across what you intend to communicate, avoiding any form of misunderstanding. Knowledge above all gives the right base to what you wish to convey, building the trust and confidence of your audience in you.

We often stress that communication is effective, wondering if only a few people know the real meaning of being effective. Communication that emphasises on verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual skills make communication effective, this way you target all types of listeners.

The way we communicate post-pandemic has totally changed. The consequences have impacted our personal and working lives, but the positive part is that we can learn to be responsible communicators by following a few simple steps-

1. Understand that change is continuous.
2. Combine data intelligence with human intelligence
3. Adopt the rule of Transparency
4. Just because you can connect doesn’t mean you have to – People face “zoom fatigue” leading to mental exhaustion
5. When we can connect in person, do – walk to your colleague for a quick interaction rather than sending an email or message.
6. Working hours are for a reason. Avoid burnout.
7. Create connection, understanding, and validation: people have been craving that feeling.
8. Don’t just communicate; try creating an experience.
9. Be supportive in your communication
10. Have engaging conversations.

Remember, we spend 90% of our time communicating, so be aware of how you communicate with responsibility and sensitivity to all the people who are a part of the new normal world. Our communication needs more attention and care for a more sustainable future for each one of us.

Please share your experiences with me at divya.bhatnagar@iilm.edu