We live in a complex world. It is full of pluralism and partisanship, ever accelerating information and technology, stresses of all sorts – economic, environmental, emotional. In short, life today is stressful. So how do we thrive in this challenging milieu?
The key, I believe, is the sharing of meaning. Why do we think and act the way we do? Why do others think and act the way they do? After many years of anxious searching, I have concluded that only if we truly understand ourselves and then others, will we find viable solutions to important problems, and along the way enduring purpose and satisfaction. This blog will attempt to share what I had learned from a life time of concentrating on communications between people. The power of words and images to cause beneficial change is fascinating to me. And on that subject, I have a few ideas to share…
I call this blog “The Head and The Heart”, because it summarizes my central insight about human communications. I contend that truly effective communications requires connecting with both the head and the heart of your audience.
In any important transaction, you must reach the head through reason. So provide essential facts to initiate the conversation, thus explaining your meaning quantitatively. Throughout history this approach has coalesced into what I call the “classical” tradition. But rationality is only part of the optimal use of our consciousness.
You must also reach the heart through emotion. The best way to do this, I have found, is through personal narratives. Tell stories from your personal experience that explains your meaning qualitatively. Your unique life will shine. In competitive situations, this approach is the ultimate way to compete. Anyone can recite facts. But no one else has lived your life. It is the ultimate competitive advantage. Throughout history this approach has coalesced into what I call the “romantic” tradition. It is beyond logic, in the realm of faith.
It’s all neurological really. From philosophy to literature, science to art, for thousand of years, the left brain has communicated through serial processing, employing methodical, linear thought. This is where facts live. Meanwhile the right brain has communicated through parallel processing, using “in-the-moment”sensory input, collaging the past and present, thinking in pictures. It’s intuitive consciousness. This is where stories live.
If you want to reach out and connect, use your whole brain…and appeal to their entire brains as well. Use BOTH your head and heart. More later…
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