Not everyone is blessed with the gift of the gab. Or in a position to articulate their thoughts and ideas succinctly. While some will have all the eloquence, fluency, expressiveness and way with words. It takes all kinds to make up this world.
Our tolerance for the inarticulate is minimal, close to zero. Often times therefore we miss the wood for the trees. Language conceals, as much as it reveals. What might be said could be ” I am afraid “, ” I am not sure “, ” I don’t understand “, ” I am looking for some relief ” , while what would be heard would be something that may not fit the discussion at all because the point of reference is what we already know(the easy way out), NOT what someone is unsure about.
There is a landscape that is beyond and behind the words. The landscape of emotions. If we carefully try to understand the emotions and desires that are part of those awkwardly expressed words, we create a happy two way street. Communication is as much about understanding the unspoken if the idea is to establish connection, continuity, confidence and conviction.
So the next time someone is trying to read the room, her plea is to read her emotions. That would help.
