Good communication OUTSIDE of business and work: the importance of listening, being heard – but also – having thoughtful discussion

This week’s post is a bit late, I know, but just past the midnight “still Wednesday-not-Wednesday-night-anymore-but-kind-of” cutoff. Being in and out of a hospital for the whole week will do that, I guess.

My thoughts this week? Well. That one phrase often many of us hear whenever an argument happens, or misinformation causes confusion – and eventually resolution or understanding of sorts is reached – is timeless and continuously on my mind right now: communication IS KEY.

This is not only as true as any truth be told, but more important than most people realize.

See, without proper communication, most things are hardly ever achieved… or, at least, not achieved thoroughly. Whether it be in the workplace, during family dinners, with your partners or any loved ones, and – importantly – with people you find constantly needing to advocate for yourself with, for a loved one, for your point of view or your side of the story – the right communication is desperately needed to achieve whatever results you are looking and hoping for.

I write this Sun Dog Weekly Blog’s post to you all from outside of the Whitehorse General Hospital, as I smoke a cigarette before going back up to the maternity ward where my loved one has been transferred to. It is in this moment I’m realizing, that my favourite phrase referenced above – the key I believe to be all that is essentially so human about us – is truer than ever before in my life. Communication. Is. Key. 

When approaching a previous doctor last night about the realities of the condition my loved one is currently in, and the extreme measures that must be taken in order for their health to ever start improving, I reflect on how poorly the first locum we saw communicated with us. Dismissing us, cutting us off mid sentence, and not allowing us to ask questions. All serious issues with anyone you would ever try to communicate or have a discussion with, let alone someone you’re supposed to be treating and listening intently to.

In complete contrast, the new doctor we saw today listened to every word, allowed us to ask questions – in return asking good, important questions as well — and also provided space and time for a healthy discussion that essentially marked a path forward for what could potentially, FINALLY be the start to my loved one’s healing journey. 

The power of good communication is just that — constructive, collaborative, and… healing. 

So whenever you speak with your next colleague, partner, child, doctor, teacher, officer, service person… really, any person on this earth… remember: you need to LISTEN, you need to not just ask questions but allow questions in return, and you need to provide a safe space for collaborative, good discussion. 

Only when good communication is recognized to be as important as it really is, will we all reach clearer outcomes, better understanding, and, undoubtedly, a more healing world.