We communicate in order to inform, train and command, integrate and maintain, to influence and persuade, guide and advise.
We have to consider that the information submitted is perceived as follows: 55% visually, 7% verbally and 38% non-verbally. In addition the assimilation of the same information and its processing is influenced by three factors:
• Personality: Oriented towards action, results, concession, logic
• Learning style: Visual, auditory and tactile
• Gender: Men communicate directly vs. women communicate indirectly;
There is no wrong type of communication, but different. We must realize and accept the differences between communication modes without being bothered by them and create a suitable climate to communicate by being ourselves, tolerating and effective.
We meet many communication barriers: Language, environment, conception, perception, culture, language, the characteristics of individuals, and the position of the person who speaks. So when there are disagreements we should filter conversations by these categories in order to eliminate these infiltrations believing the best in the man near us.
For an effective communication we must keep in mind:
• Partner’s personality
• What the partner understands, not what we intend to communicate
• The language used to be accessible
• Successful communication is the responsibility of the person who communicates
Negotiation is viewed as the most effective way to communicate in order to cooperate to solve common problems and the parties’ mutually beneficial agreement.
You are not born as a negotiator, you learn to be one.
The success of a negotiation means using information acquired by planning, preparation and hearing the other party so as to obtain a mutual beneficial agreement by using the following keys:
• Each person has their own style of negotiating, you must discover and apply it and adapt to the style of your partner
• The knowledge about the purpose and motivation in order to transmit to the opponents determination, confidence and commitment
• Personal relationships created between people facilitate reliable communication and decrease anxiety. Reciprocity Law: Loyalty, trust, fairness matters in negotiation
• The interest of the other party is important. What will motivate them to serve their own interests helping us achieve our aim?
From my perspective, when we talk about negotiation and communication it is important to address them from three different perspectives: Personality, gender and culture of the individual. These features make us unique, beautiful and reflect the unity in diversity in the kingdom of God. Understanding this, communication and negotiation becomes our song that expresses the glory of God and to love our neighbor.
The gift of communication must be used in the service of our neighbor, as Paul says for strengthening, encouraging and comfort of people. And when you sit face to face at the negotiation table to solve a problem we have in mind the common and mutual benefits or “win –win style” as businessmen say.
Thus in all things: He gets the glory.