Here’s a tip for improving the quality of your communication …

Do you remember sounding out words?

Or moving on to that huge task of learning to write in cursive?

Or graduating from addition to multiplication?

At the time, these steps of learning seemed so big!

Fortunately, the process of learning was simple, and it usually started with being provided with definitions of words. Once we understood the proper definitions, we could embark on the task of learning by applying the definition or meaning of words to various functions.

That seems long ago, yet some of the best college textbooks start each chapter by providing definitions of key words the student will encounter in the new chapter.

Whether we’re starting out in elementary school, or going back to college for a graduate degree, the value of common definitions helps us to develop a common understanding.

Funny how we forget that in the workplace. Or in relationships. Or in the church.

We tend to splatter others with our words, knowing precisely what we mean, but taking little (or no) time to make sure others share the same understanding of the words we use.

Often they don’t, simply because they may have their own definition for some of the words we’ve used.

If you want to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your communication with others, take time to make sure the people you work or interact with share the same definition you have for the key words you use when communicating with them. Doing so can build greater cohesiveness among groups, greater clarity in relationships, and less confusion for everyone.

Scotty