People who work at airports are trained to over communicate. Next time you’re in an airport terminal, listen to the announcements:
Ladies and gentlemen, Flight 315 to Buffalo is now boarding.
We are now boarding Flight 315 to Buffalo.
Again, Flight 315 to Buffalo is now boarding.
Repetition. Three times. You know why they do this? The first time you hear the announcement you weren’t listening. The second time you hear the announcement you’re trying to figure out if that announcement was for you. The third time you can finally listen and get the information they’re trying to pass along. Over communication equaled you getting the message.
People are fairly bad listeners. Unfortunately, they are necessary for proper communication. You can say you’ve communicated, but if your audience hasn’t heard and understood, no communication happened. Yelling into an empty forest isn’t communication (unless maybe you’re in Narnia or Middle Earth).
Do you communicate enough at your church or in your art?
I’m not asking if you flood people with announcements or communications. That doesn’t accomplish the goal of communication.
But do you give people three or more chances to hear what you’re trying to tell them? That’s what’s necessary for communication–over communication. By the time you’re sick of repeating yourself, people are just now getting what you’re saying.
Have you noticed the necessity for over communication?
Great point, Jonathan. Definitely a good word for communicators and creatives, but also I think there is some application in discipleship, as well. As we lead others in spiritual growth, and as we are lead, it’s important that we realize it might have to be demonstrated or learned more than once! Nice post!
Definitely! A pastor of mine used to say, “Repetition is the price of knowledge.” How true! 🙂
Great point, Jonathan. Definitely a good word for communicators and creatives, but also I think there is some application in discipleship, as well. As we lead others in spiritual growth, and as we are lead, it’s important that we realize it might have to be demonstrated or learned more than once! Nice post!
Definitely! A pastor of mine used to say, “Repetition is the price of knowledge.” How true! 🙂
Communication is difficult, especially with creatives and with creative ideas. I tend to over communicate, erring on the overkill side, which can overwhelm people. So maybe I need to start using this “3x a charm” style! Sometimes new original ideas or creative projects are very fluid and hard to conceptualize for linear thinkers/communicators. I’m currently filming worship ministry tutorial videos using musicians, singers and pastors as spokespersons. Many have never done anything like this before, I find myself constantly repeating the plan to each individual. I’ve gotten to the point where I tell them they just have to trust me. 🙂
I think another key to good communication is limiting how many things you communicate. If you repeatedly communicate many things…it becomes a jumble…but if you laser focus your communication and keep pushing it…the message gets through. 🙂
Communication is difficult, especially with creatives and with creative ideas. I tend to over communicate, erring on the overkill side, which can overwhelm people. So maybe I need to start using this “3x a charm” style! Sometimes new original ideas or creative projects are very fluid and hard to conceptualize for linear thinkers/communicators. I’m currently filming worship ministry tutorial videos using musicians, singers and pastors as spokespersons. Many have never done anything like this before, I find myself constantly repeating the plan to each individual. I’ve gotten to the point where I tell them they just have to trust me. 🙂
I think another key to good communication is limiting how many things you communicate. If you repeatedly communicate many things…it becomes a jumble…but if you laser focus your communication and keep pushing it…the message gets through. 🙂