Communication is a fundamental tool for human interaction and the building of meaningful relationships. However, society is characterized by a wide range of differences that affect our ability to communicate effectively. One of these differences is communicative diversity, which refers to the various modes, styles, and approaches people use to communicate.
This diversity can present a great opportunity for creating an inclusive environment where differences are valued and respected. In this article, we will explore communicative diversity and the development of some tools we already have as human beings.
Communicative diversity manifests in various forms, such as linguistic, cultural, cognitive, emotional, and physical differences. Each individual carries unique experiences, knowledge, and communication skills that can influence their interactions when expressing themselves and seeking understanding from others.
As a certified professional coach, I have focused on this diversity because, if neglected, it can impact the performance of any professional, both in their work and personal life, including listening, presence, and trust.
Communicative diversity can be observed from our personal lives to our professional lives, and it is not necessarily caused by different cultures or languages.
So, focusing on these seemingly hidden diversities, how often do discussions with our family members, friends, or partners lead to misunderstandings?
How often have we complained about the lack of communication in our work environment?
From these two questions, it can be understood that diversity is not only found by taking a flight, but we also find it in our homes and in our daily lives.
The lack of awareness towards communicative diversity can greatly compromise the social fabric, thus making it impossible to work and relate inclusively according to our uniqueness and potential.
However, by valuing the different modes of communication of others, we become more aware that a topic can be conveyed in 8 billion ways, with each person perceiving its importance, value, and self-expression differently. As human beings, we have a remarkable flexibility in explaining a single concept in multiple ways depending on the person in front of us, whether they are a child, teenager, or adult.
How do we communicate a concept differently depending on the person in front of us?
There are several reasons, including:
Complexity of human thought: Humans are capable of processing and connecting ideas and information in different ways.
Individual experience: Each individual has a unique life experience and a personal perspective that influences how we perceive and understand the world. This allows us to adapt our language and metaphors based on the specific experiences and perspectives of the people we are interacting with.
Different contexts and purposes: The explanation of a concept can vary depending on the context and purpose of the communication. This allows us to adapt to the specific needs of the context and the listeners.
Different learning modalities: People have different learning modalities, such as visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learning. This enables us to use different communication modalities, such as the use of images, practical examples, stories, or metaphors, to help people better understand a concept based on their preferred learning style.
Empathy and connection: Flexibility also reflects our ability to create empathetic connections. When explaining a concept, we try to find common ground and establish a connection with others, thus facilitating mutual understanding and deeper connection.
As we can see, as human beings, we already have many innate talents. To further strengthen these aspects and use them more practically in our personal and professional lives, coaching is an excellent tool that facilitates the communicative process of our intentions, promoting good interaction and collaboration. It also allows us to recognize our communicative uniqueness, giving voice to our creative ideas and potential.
There is no correct way to communicate, as communicative diversity allows us to train our ears to a wide range of valid and meaningful approaches. By further developing our presence for more empathetic listening, we will recognize our innate talents as a gift and an opportunity that we can all develop and refine.
Investing in awareness, active listening, and partnership with a coach can make a difference because we create a world where communicative diversity is seen as an opportunity, not an obstacle.
