I was sitting at a restaurant the other day waiting to meet a friend for dinner. I noticed a mother and her two children walking in. The mother was walking next to her daughter, who was about seven years old, and her son, who was approximately nine to ten years old, was trailing slowly behind "hooked-up" to his portable music player looking as though he was in his own "little world". I realize that in today's world, for many children, that is the norm. That's exactly my concern.  If we have an upcoming generation that has grown up in their "own little techno world" what will their communication skills be as they develop into young adults and the future of our workforce?  I'm very concerned, are you?

Share your thoughts.

Joan

It's mind boggling the impact that social media has had on our professional, personal, social lives.  The approach to communication has forever changed.  What an advantage we have for increased visibility; but what a "hit" our face to face communication has taken.  My request is to view today's communication technology as supplemental to our vital face to face communication which I believe is the core of our relationships.

Do you agree?

Joan

A great tactic to improve your communication skills is to observe people that you think are effective and compelling when they interact with others.  Have you tried this and what were the results?

Joan

Truly effective communicators are engaging  listeners.  Without having an awareness of the importance of listening and the willingness to put effort and energy into improving this "silent" but powerful communication skill, it is extremely unlikely that one can become a compelling communicator.

-Joan

Thursday, I was walking in a local shopping plaza and noticed three people apparently "talking to themselves".  Of course, they were speaking on their cell phones using headsets.  When I was leaving the parking lot I thought, "It's incredible to think how technology has impacted one of the most important human needs, communication."

In today's complex and fast-paced world, we have many "channels" of communication at our disposal;  websites,  e-mail, texting, cell phones, Skype, Linked In, Facebook, etc.  Of course, the issue becomes, if we do not "keep up",  we will be" left behind".  I freely admit,  I use these communication technologies everyday.  However, I am also very aware,  these forms of communication are only "supplemental",  to the most effective way of communicating, face to face interactions.

If one considers communication in terms of initiating and building trusted longstanding relationships, as I do, I do not think we are more effective today.  Having the ability to communicate in abbreviated language using incorrect grammar and acronyms only gives us the ability to increase our contacts not necessarily our interpersonal relationships.

In many cases this type of communication has become the preferred method of interacting because it's always at our disposal, it's abbreviated and it saves us valuable time that we would use going to meet someone.  Because of today's strong tendency for our youth to be "technology communicators" and not "interpersonal communicators" the question is, "How will this impact our future personal, social or business relationships?"  Only time will tell.

Your thoughts?

-Joan