In my everyday life communication is:

“a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior”

But I’d say it can be so much more. One thing I personally use it for, and that I try to teach others, is as a catalyst.

According to the internet, more specifically Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, a catalyst is:

noun

cat·​a·​lyst ˈka-tə-ləst 

Synonyms of catalyst

1

: a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible

2

: an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action

That waterway became the catalyst of the area’s industrialization.

He was the catalyst in the native uprising.

When you see communication as a catalyst, things simply get done.

When you communicate something, is becomes something, something both you and others can relate to. If you want to remain a good person (company) you also deliver on those things you have communicated. Communication simply provides you with a conscious or unconscious deadline. Or at least it opens up for people to return and ask about that thing you (or your company) said you would deliver.

Over the years I have noticed that many people (managers, well yeah they are also people) rather choose not communicate. I’m sure it’s partly because they don’t want to promise (or commit to) something that they are not 100% sure they will deliver to. (Newsflash – you can never guarantee anything, it’s how life is constructed). Even if this is sweet and noble that we don’t want to hurt people, the paradox is that’s exactly what we will do when not communicating. Instead of disappointing people by not delivering, you disappoint people by not being present, engaged and your silence becomes a sign that you don’t care about them at all.

If you fail to deliver, you will get another chance to do so. People are usually quite understanding as long as you can tell them why. And, it gives you another opportunity to communicate and build a relation to your audience. At least a couple of times. Then not so much, but then it’s not your communication that’s failing.

Personally, I will continue to be a person who communicates, promise things and delier to them (I do fail at times, but then I communicate this too), simply because that’s the kind of person I want to be and because our relationship is important to me .

What kind of person are you?

Photo credit: Volodymyr Hryshchenko – Unsplash