I trust that my readers have been able to understand the concept of Emotional Intelligence through the stories I brought forward in my previous blogs. For a few weeks from now, I shall be focusing upon communication, the backbone of all successful relationships – be it personal or professional.
The focus of Momentum Training Solutions has been to improve business communication in the workplace. There are many elements that, which when put together, constitute effective communication. I shall focus an important element today – tact and delivery. Let us now understand this concept with a story.
A long time ago, a Sultan summoned one of his wise men to ask how long he would live. “Your Excellency”, replied the wise man promptly, “you would live long enough to see all your sons and their children dead.” Upon hearing this, the Sultan flew into a fit of rage and ordered that this wise man be executed at once.
Some weeks later after this incident, the Sultan called upon another wise man of his province and asked him the same question. Now this man was really wise. After some thought he answered, “Your Excellency, I see that you shall be blessed with a successful life, wherein you will live so long that you will outlive your loved ones.” The Sultan was delighted and rewarded the wise man with gold and silver.
What is the difference in the way both these wise men communicated to the Sultan? Both of them perhaps said the truth, but there was a stark difference in the results. The difference lies in tact and delivery of content – the first wise man failed in this aspect, while the second wise man succeeded.
One of the most important lessons in business communication is that you should deliver your content after a lot of careful consideration and thought. A business environment is very sensitive and the method in which you communicate holds a critical key to your growth and success.
Four things cannot come back – the spoken word, the spent arrow, the past life and the neglected opportunity.
~An Ancient Proverb