Communication is how people exchange information, opinions, and ideas (Carroll, 2006). It is the element that links all human beings together. It is an intimate, complex, integral part of life without which we would not survive. It can profoundly affect our overall health and wellness because it has both tremendous potential and tremendous problems. True communication is spontaneous and unique and involves all the senses. It is both an art and a science and requires creativity and flexibility. Communication is an integral skill for all individuals, especially those in the healthcare professions.
Today, communication not only transmits information and knowledge, but more importantly, it helps us relate to each other as human beings around the globe in a context of relationships, cultures, families, organizations, and nations. What we say, how we say it, and what we mean are critical and can be life-changing. Children are particularly vulnerable to communication processes, especially during their formative years. Adults and other children have the ability to help us flourish as individuals or destroy our self-esteem, impacting us for life. The difference between a kind (or cruel) word or facial expression can be powerful (Vertino, 2014). Effective interpersonal communication can contribute to a healthy lifestyle on both personal and professional levels.
With the rapid advancement of technology and the many changes in communication styles, it is more important than ever to understand the elements of communication and how communication can impact virtually every aspect of our lives.
WHY IS EFFECTIVE AND EMPOWERING COMMUNICATION IMPORTANT?
Do you remember the “telephone” game? It was a game in which the first person in a line or circle whispered a word or phrase into the ear of the person sitting or standing to their right. Each player took turns whispering the phrase to their neighbors until it reached the last person in line. The last player said the word or phrase out loud so everyone could hear how much it changed from the first whisper at the beginning of the game. It helped show how much listening and effective communication mattered.