Four Words for Communicating

We must communicate clearly on an individual level and as a group level. Part of all our work is communicating. We communicate with our families, our patients or residents, our team members and ourselves. Sometimes we recognize that communicating is going well and that we feel heard and we feel like we are understanding others. However, sometimes we feel the opposite and that we are not being heard and we are not understanding or being understood. For a moment let’s take a deep breath and be encouraged by going over four words for effective communication.

First: Confirmation:

Know who you are and know who are your talking to. Are you talking with another person, a team, a family member, a patient? Be sure that you are aware of who you are as an important member of the team of support.

Second: Commendation:

Recognize the strengths and the successes of each other as well. Each member of the team, each family member, each patient/resident has reasons to be respected. Each one has dignity of personhood and we have the opportunity to celebrate this as we verbally acknowledge this.

Third: Creative Confrontation:

There is room for discussing improvement, growing areas, difficult truths and struggles. Sometimes you have to be creative on how you take on these conversations. But do take them on! Sometimes we want to avoid them because we do not like conflict. Yet, they need to be discussed so that they can be worked through. If we do not work through struggles, they only become bigger and we begin to feel as if there are personal attacks. Creative confrontation is to be founded on the first two, confirmation and commendation, to keep communication respectful and productive.

Forth: Encouragement:

After creative confrontation, who does not need a  moment and word of encouragement. Let’s be reassuring that growth is in process, hoped for and that there is faith for further accomplishment.

Four words to remind us to keep talking and to keep communicating. Though the words seem simple enough, the use of them has large impacts on each of us personally and as a group.

Please Join me in Prayer: Holy Creator God, We recognize you as almighty. We come to you as our creator, as the creator of relationship and communication, leaning on your wisdom. We ask that you bless each one of us with wisdom in our words, understanding in our hearts and listening ears to hear the needs and successes of others. May our relationships and team work be strengthened and encouraged. Amen.