Sometimes, when I feel like I’m living in my own little bubble, I remind myself how stuffy and dangerous isolation can be. Communicating and sharing is where I find success and comfort, so much so that exchange has become my drug of choice. It is that effusive jubilance that continually pulls me to the fresh and unexplored.
My life was shaped by the inclusion of other people and cultures into my own. Being a child in the busy home of a prominent publisher meant there were always knowledgeable people around. Every day my world seemed nearly ready to burst with all the ideas and enthusiasm bustling about. At any given moment, there would be scientists, politicians, journalists, soldiers, authors – all arguing and debating in the next room. I wore a smile from ear to ear just listening to the, shall we say, passionate exchange of ideas. Many years later, developing my own communication agency felt like an extension of those vibrant conversations.
What I find both ironic and delightful is the direction media has taken. It is no longer the centralized publishing company that holds the power, but the multitude of voices clashing and conversing on the web. The capabilities of this social media makes transparency a must and isolation almost impossible. In a lot of ways, it’s like being a little girl again and never having to see the end of new voices and perspectives. I couldn’t be giddier. The downside of this, I have found, is that my enthusiasm often lends itself to its fair share of social foibles. I’ve tried to march steadily against these and have only learned more and more over the years.
Unfortunately, I don’t believe I’m the only one who could have used some guidance in these open times. My understanding of people is that we all have a fluctuating quotient of our communication intelligence, or CQ. We succeed and fumble based on how well we keep our smarts and emotions under control when we converse. This has been true for me, and if it has been true for you I hope you will join the conversation here.
Be well.
Sincerely,
-C
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