At Shocklogic, we believe clear communication is vital and that the responsibility for this lies, first and foremost, with the communicator. It’s up to us to make sure that our messages are clear, concise, and can be easily understood. This means that we need to be mindful, not just of what we’re saying, but of how it could be interpreted.

When each of us takes responsibility to ensure that 100% of our communication is understood, we create an environment where radical ownership and accountability become natural. Imagine a world where we convey our thoughts with total clarity, leading to fewer misunderstandings. 

If a misunderstanding does emerge, we should then consider how we can improve our own communication rather than blaming others; getting defensive should never be our knee-jerk reaction. Instead, we need to take ownership of our communication and work with the other person to find a solution that works for everyone. When we take full responsibility for how we communicate, we can’t help but act with kindness, empathy, and compassion.

It’s also important to recognise that communication is a complex process, and everyone has their own personal history and experience that underlies everything they hear and can influence their interpretation. Therefore, we should approach every interaction with the following in mind:  

• Humility – not making too many assumptions, accepting and acknowledging that communication is a complex process and we can never know exactly what another person is thinking.  
• Respect – for the needs of the other person, and again for the complexity of language and the process of communication itself.
• Conscientiousness – doing our best in the moment; slowing down, listening carefully, and asking questions to check the other person’s or our own understanding.

Ultimately, successful communication requires us to consider who we’re speaking to and listen actively throughout the conversation. By approaching communication with humility, respect, and conscientiousness, we can ensure that our messages are not only conveyed, but genuinely understood.