Communication — an exchange of information between individuals. Like the words I've written here that you're now reading.
Unfortunately, there are many times when errors in communication occur. These errors always seem to cause chaos.
I live in the country, so it typically takes a bit longer for me to get to a meeting than others. I'm used to this and don't mind it, at least until someone decides to change the meeting plans at the last minute without properly communicating.
Imagine thinking you have three hours left before you need to walk out the door, only to find out you should have left 20 minutes ago. And it's all thanks to someone else's lack of communication.
Even more chaotic? Finding out that someone isn't going to do what they previously communicated.
You said you were going to order the supplies for an event, then "forget" to tell me you don't have enough money for the supplies until it's too late to place the order?
I can assure you that I won't shame you for having financial struggles. But I can and probably will shame you for not telling me sooner so that plans could be rearranged.
To add to the chaos of college, there are even professors that don't communicate.
I had a professor that didn't respond to emails, calls or texts for over two months. I was stuck on chapter three of 11 because he wouldn't unlock the exam for chapter three.
I'm sure you can picture how frantic I was when I had to complete over two months of work in two weeks.
I think that the worst chaos caused by a lack of communication is when relationships begin to fall apart.
A lack of communication can destroy a relationship, whether it's with a close friend, significant other, co-worker or family member.
It's not always easy to communicate what you need in a relationship. But a lack of communication breeds assumptions of what the other person is thinking or feeling – assumptions that are often incorrect.
"To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the ways we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others." – Anthony Robbins
We all look at things differently and communicate what we perceive in unique ways. We must understand this difference in perception before we can become better communicators.
Remember that communication isn't restricted to what is said. It is also how it is said.
If you can't understand what someone else has communicated, speak up! It's better to ask for clarification and upset the person than to make assumptions that may cause chaos.
More importantly, be willing to watch for when others don't understand what you're communicating. When others don't understand, try explaining things from a different perspective.
Lack of communication leads to a lack of trust that leaves room for doubt.
Do yourself a favor and eliminate that lack of trust and room for doubt by communicating with others. You may still have chaos in your life because of someone else's lack of communication, but at least you'll be eliminating some of the chaos in the world.
