Communication Skills Tip: Contributing to the Conversation

I was thinking that when you have something to say you have to ask yourself why you want to communicate. Are you looking for a reaction? Do you need to be heard? Or do you want to add value and make a contribution? I keep journals. I've done so my whole life. I've even kept them all. I was thinking that one day I could write a book and share my life experience in such a way that it would make people reflect on their own lives and ultimately make a difference. Then, as I got older, I thought, well maybe it is really my children who would benefit and enjoy my life-long writings. But, seeing as I don't have children, I am back to the question of why do I want to communicate? What do I have to say? And I don't have a concrete answer except to say that keeping my ideas to myself feels useless. If I can shed light on my experience and it helps someone in even the smallest of ways, then I have made a contribution to society. But, let's take this question to the workplace for a moment and specifically to business writing. When you have a message to share, you have to start by asking the most important question: What is the purpose of my communication? Specifically you can ask, "What is the objective of my writing? Who is my audience? What do they know on the subject? Why will they benefit from hearing my perspective?" The bottom line is: Are you sharing an original concept, solution or opinion? Or, are you adding relevant points to already established procedures? The main point is to dig deep enough to know what it is you have to contribute and then take the time to construct writing that makes a difference. And doing so, from begining to end. To be added to Lanartco's Communication Performance Tip of the Week, please connect to this link or send your email address to info@lanartco.com.