Mindful Communication

08/13/2015

Let us temper our criticism with kindness. None of us comes fully equipped.
Carl Sagan

"Successful communication requires that we mindfully participate in the exchange," writes Johnna Darragh Ernst, in The Welcoming Classroom. Mindful participation requires being fully present in an exchange:

"When I am fully present in a communication exchange, I am in the moment and thinking about what the person I am communicating with is expressing. I might have a huge to-do list on my desk... but all of that is placed out of my mind as I am in the moment (fully present) and focused (attending). I have accepted that I am responsible for my contributions to this exchange and recognize that my focus will contribute to my understanding the message being communicated. Being fully present and attending to the person speaking communicates that what he has to say is important, that I respect him, and that I value his message."

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