COMMUNICATION IS NOT THE KEY, EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IS!

Ever wonder why you lose every negotiation or argument, feel that you're not heard enough, escalate conflicts, or find it almost impossible to get people to understand your point of view?

- By Noeli Jesuda

Before we dive into specifics, let me begin by telling you a simple story that we all grew up with, Little Red Riding Hood. A little girl sets out to visit her grandmother with a basket of food.

Before leaving, her mother warns her clearly: "Don't talk to strangers and don't leave the path." However, along the way, she forgets the warning. She chats with the wolf, tells him where she's going, and ends up in danger when the wolf reaches her grandmother's house first. At first glance, it's a tale about obedience and safety, but beneath that, it's really about communication gone wrong. Red didn't truly listen to her mother's message, and she wasn't cautious about what she shared with a stranger. The wolf, on the other hand, used clever words to deceive her, showing how manipulative or unclear communication can distort meaning and trust. If we think about it, the entire story turns on the difference between communication (words being exchanged) and effective communication (messages being understood, respected, and used wisely). It reminds us that being a good communicator isn't just about speaking, but also about listening and understanding context.

What is communication?