Power of Communication

Nick and Nate, my buddies. This is us at Lake Powell feeding the fish some corn. Such fun, and such simple communication. I just had to tell Nick and Nate to be quiet, don't move and the fish will come eat the corn we put in the water. Then I had to tell them again, then again, but they never did stop moving around. They did get quiet though, we had a great time.

Communication with children can be difficult at times for them and you. They do not comprehend you a lot of the time and you can not reach what they are trying to tell you most of the time, mostly because they do not have the words to fully describe what they want to say. However on the other hand generally with kids they are not trying to discuss in depth concepts, mostly just dealing with the basics of life, food, poopy diaper, sleepy, etc. I think that is why I get along with kids sometimes, because they know that when it all comes down to it life is about the simple things. However we grow up and get mature and we have to worry about complex relationships and worry about how the world works. We worry about if we can talk to so and so, or if it will be appropriate, or nice.

I guess the short an skinny of it is courage. I think as an adult communicating with other adults it often just takes simple courage. I know I am often afraid to say something, but as long as my intentions are right, and what I have to say will not be offensive or hurtful, then I wish people would just say it. I need to.

I have been trying to implement that into my leadership role, rather than sitting quietly as we as executive directors meet, and I usually have thoughts pertaining to myself such as "that's not that great of an idea" or "my opinion doesn't matter that much," instead I have been striving to open my mouth and say what I am thinking. I have found that when I do I feel much better, I feel like I have done my part. Even when my ideas are not implemented or have flaws in them, at least they are out there, and really I rarely actually feel dumb for sharing my ideas, even though I thought I would.

Well, I am going to stop this rant, that has meander all around with just saying that I believe communication is a powerful leadership trait and it is one where we need to lift where we stand, even if we are not the leader, we need to lift our voice, lift where we stand.