How well do we communicate?

While living on the farm, plant pathologists from Kansas State University conducted research on our farm and others in the area. My dad also invited them to hunt. Jerry loved hunting doves, while Jim’s favorite was pheasant hunting. My sister and I each gave up our upstairs beds whenever we had guests.

Jim was the first in the United States, and second in the world to clone a plant. Jerry was world-renowned as well, having been at Cornell University before coming to K-State. What makes these ground breaking scientists even more remarkable than just their academic achievements, were there ability to communicate their knowledge comprehensible to most all. Jim explained cloning in terms and descriptions I could understand as an 8th grader. Jerry was able explain his discovery of new crop diseases in the same style.

Jerry did not recognize Christmas, my parents did. They would send his family a Christmas card, while Jerry would send them a card in the middle of January. This did not interfere with their business relationship or friendship. Jerry continued to stay at our home. It is Jerry and Jim whom offered my dad a job in Manhattan when farming was no longer a viable option for my parents. Honest, effective communication allowed their friendship to thrive.

One of the advantages of living in a university town; is getting to know professors, department heads and administrators personally. Living in Manhattan, KS in the 1980s, competing, and coaching in athletics, I met various parents whom I may not have otherwise met. One parent, Dr. David Mugler, was the long time Assistant Dean of Agriculture at K-State. He once informed me that when employers interviewed at KSU, they know the prospects have the necessary technical knowledge. I believe this is true of most all colleges.

One of the vital questions the employers desire to attain in an interview is, 'How well do you communicate’.

How well do we communicate? You, like me, would probably receive a variety of responses. Some would say quite well, my friends at times say I communicate poorly; other times I am told I communicate 'too well' (ha).

Christmas and New Years are quickly approaching. Are you prepared to effectively communicate to your family and friends, that you may only see annually, what they mean to you? We never know if we will have another opportunity in 2008. Are you prepared to efficiently communicate to your boss, employer, peers, employees, and board of directors how much you appreciate them, along with the role each play in achieving the desired success attained by symbiotic efforts?

I know I communicate much better now than 30 years ago when a speech pathologist came to Gaylord Grade School to work with me and a few others who ‘creatively’ enunciated various syllables and words.

I hope that improvements in communications exist in 2007 from 2006. Would you agree we seek greater improvements for 2008 and beyond?

How well do you communicate your gratefulness this Christmas? Feel Free to Practice!

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