Communication is an interesting and confusing dynamic. It sure doesn’t seem like communication should be so perplexing or complicated. The truth is though – communication can be most difficult.
One of the aspects that make communication complicated is the area of honesty. Though honesty is the primary building block of communication, it is often missing or only partially present. Being honest is often not as easy as it would appear to be. “Just tell the truth!” Easier said than done – yes?
Honesty is complicated because honesty is not one sided -- it is two sided. Honesty requires the person ‘communicating’ to tell the truth. Honesty also requires the person ‘receiving the communication’ to permit honesty. When the sender is less than honest or the receiver doesn’t allow complete honesty, there is faulty communication. Healthy communication cannot occur in that kind of environment.
People will sometimes ask someone else, “Can I be completely honest with you?” Why do people ask that question? People might also say, “OK, I’m going to be honest with you.” Why?
People say these things, while attempting to communicate, because the ‘hearer’ often does not what honesty. They say they do. They are hurt and disappointed when honesty is lacking BUT they get angry when the truth is communicated.
If people want to experience healthy communication both aspects have to be present. There has to be a commitment on the ‘sender’ to communicate honesty and there has to be a commitment on the ‘receiver’ to receive honesty. When two people or more have that kind of dynamic working, communication happens!
So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. (Ephesians 4:25 NLT)
Be honest! Receive honesty!
No comments:
Post a Comment