THE COMMUNICATOR

What would a person be like who communicates very well?

First of all, he would be at ease. He would be comfortable with himself wherever he was, and because of this, he would also be able to make other people feel comfortable.

He would be a creative person with an active mind. He would be capable of looking at many different things and dealing with them on whatever level might be required. He could speak casually, or seriously, or lightly, or deeply, and he wouldn't be limited in his attitudes or feelings. He could talk freely and easily about feelings or ideas. He could be practical, philosophical, or both.

He'd be secure and open, and able to listen. He wouldn't resist what others have to say. He wouldn't have a need to “side-step” or avoid others or to maintain a rigid attitude. He would not be afraid of being affected, or being changed, or of changing. In fact, he would be quite willing to be affected, to listen, and to respond. He would be willing to let the other person have his say, and at the same time, not being intimidated, he would be able to speak his mind, whatever it might be.

He would be able to tolerate closeness as well as distance. He could face another eye to eye and soul-to-soul and still accept separateness and differences. And being thoroughly aware of other people's different values, limitations, characteristics, attitudes, interests, and tolerances, he would speak in a way that invites them closer.

He would accept responsibility for everything he says and does. Because of this he would never need to lie. He would be honest as well as open. As a result, he would be trusted and respected.

He would also be a person of intention. He would have something to say, something to accomplish, and something to learn. He would have something to give and would be interested in others and what they had to give to him. He would always acknowledge others and let them know when their communications were valuable to him.

He would respond appropriately. He would have a good span of attention, a good focus of attention, and be able to direct his and other's attention with ease. He would usually complete what he starts and he would not be easily distracted or confused. He would be comfortable repeating himself when necessary and would have the skill to expand his imagination, and see and grasp the concepts of others. He would be willing to take the time that was necessary to make his communication meaningful.

He would also know that good communication takes determination and practice. He would understand that practicing good communication makes it even better, while practicing bad communication creates confusion, upsets, and conflicts, and makes further communicating even more difficult and less rewarding.

He would know how to help other people communicate better, and he would realize that their gain is also his. He would be well aware of the fact that people have different intentions, desires, and needs. Thus, he would be interested in other's communications and would encourage it. As a result, his life, and the lives of others around him, would flourish.

He would be sensitive, and understanding, powerful, and wise. He would love people, and people would love him. His concourse with other people would make life into the joy that we all wish life would be.

Does such a person exist? Every one of us has every one of these characteristics to some degree or another. We have the potential of being very good communicators, of being better communicators than we were before, and with that we have the potential of making our lives as enjoyable, rewarding and exciting as we desire. We are communicators. It is only a matter of exercising our full potential. 

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