Effective Communication Skills Positively Impact Lives

I sat captivated by a speaker who was sharing his story with the audience. He was not an articulate well-spoken man. Truth be told, he suffered from Cerebral Palsy. Have you ever said something to someone and they completely misunderstood what you said? Of course.  We all have. In a worse case scenario, it may have even ended a great relationship, or at least the potential of one. I know I have said things I wish I could have taken back. If we were to all be honest, we have all had something to say important or meaningful to someone or a group of people, but fallen short in our communication skills in saying what we really meant to say.

Imagine if everyone could effectively communicate their thoughts and feelings clearly. The world would definitely be a better place, wouldn’t it? Learning good verbal and written communication skills are vital to your success in human relationships. Good communication skills can mean the difference between getting the job you want and not getting it.  Good communication skills can mean the difference between her saying yes or no when you ‘pop the big question,’ or that of a child positively responding to your correction and instruction.

If you are in business, it can mean the difference between your company staying in business or not – if you can not effectively communicate to your prospects, customers, and creditors when the need for clear and concise communication is required. Good communication skills are a foundational part of your ultimate success in life.  Written communication, like verbal communication, can be powerful, especially when it comes to building your personal and/or business brand.

When you learn and/or develop your speaking and writing skills, you help insure your success on every level.   In our day-to-day interactions with people, knowing how to say what you want in clear and concise terms is worth taking the time to learn about.

In the interim, just for fun, think back to a time that you have attempted to write out what you meant, but ended up not meaning what you actually wrote.  Can you think of a time?  WOW!!!  I know I can think of shad not opened my mouth. What’s that Proverb? “Even a fool seems wise when he is silent,” or something like that.

Here are some examples of this very thing that will drive my point home for you about communicating effectively.  They were written to mean one thing, but did not end up saying what the person wanted to say – hmmm, or did they? My thanks to the individual who sent these to me:

A poster sign found in a London department store reads, “BARGAIN BASEMENT UPSTAIRS”

In a London office, someone had to wonder about this one, which read, “AFTER TEA BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING BOARD.”

A sign found in a restroom in a high-rise office building reads, “TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW.”

A notice posted in an office reads, “WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN.”

A sign posted above automatic washing machines in a public laundry-mat reads, ”PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT!”

This notice in the window of a health food store had to raise an eyebrow or two – “CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS”

A safari park didn’t mean to insinuate anything by this one, but someone must have wondered when they read, “ELEPHANTS! PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR”

The repair shop really didn’t mean to give the impression they must have been giving when they posted the sign at the entrance of their shop door that read, “WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING! PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR – THE BELL DOESN’T WORK”

Outside a second-hand shop, someone surely had to be tempted when they read, “WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING – BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN?”

This one was at a large conference on Alzheimer’s, but I don’t think they were trying to jog anyone’s memory with the large posted sign that said, “FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN’T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR”

Notice in a farmer’s field who was only trying to be hospitable to neighbors put up this sign – “FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES!”

This organization needs to reconsider their marketing strategy – a message on an advertising leaflet reads, “IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET LESSONS”

I hope you found these as funny as those I have shared them with personally found them to be. As funny as these messages are, there is an equally as sobering message here for anyone that wants to effectively communicate with others.  Whether those ‘others’ are a hopeful mate, our loved ones, an employer, employee, a prospect, customer, client, or business associate, effective communication skills are a must.

If you find that you are second guessing what you are saying or writing to others in communicating about your organization, business, or business opportunity, consider hiring a professional copy writer to address the key elements of your literature, Website or online marketing campaign.  It could mean the difference between 10 people acting on your written or verbal message or 10,000 people acting on it. If you would like further information on cost effective copy writing services, visit my contact page and leave me a message. Someone will respond shortly.

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