The Uncommon Communicator

Welcome to part 1 of our 5 part series on forgotten communications. In this series we will be uncovering the secrets of the past and how they apply today.

1. The Town Crier
2. The semaphore flag
3. The heliograph
4. The drum beat 
5. The instructional  hymn 

 The town crier played an important part in medieval society.  Our eyes were opened to the fact that this really fed into an illiterate system. The Uncommon communicator is a big supporter of bringing literacy to the masses. to many, it is the start of freedom from an oppressive society 
Coming from the French verb that means to listen, the town crier was a common sight (and sound) on the streets of medieval England. While ringing his bell, he would loudly inform the townspeople of news, proclamations, and other important information.

Since the dispelling of information was a very important task, the town crier had to be literate, an uncommon skill at the time. He also had to be loud and have an air of authority about him. Since announced messages were often negative and unwelcome (such as in the event of a tax increase), town criers were protected by law. In fact, that’s where the saying “Don’t shoot the messenger!” originates.

Although traditional town criers no longer exist professionally, there are many who put on the garb for festivals and fun. That is, except for Alan Myatt who is a two-time Guinness Book of World Records winner. At 112.8 decibels (as loud as a riveting machine!), he holds the record for vocal endurance by issuing a one-hundred-word proclamation every 15 minutes for a period of 48 hours.

Prior to widespread literacy, town criers were the means of communication with the people of the town since many people could not read or write. Proclamations, local bylaws, market days, adverts, were all proclaimed by a bellman or crier.

World literacy rate is currently 87% up from 12% as recent as 1820. 

In ancient Rome, they typically proclaimed public business during the market days that formed a kind of weekend every eight days.

Criers were not always men, many town criers were women. Bells were not the only attention-getting device—in the Netherlands, a gong was the instrument of choice for many, and in France a drum was used, or a hunting horn.

 Today’s Crier has taken on a life of its own

Twitter, Tik-Tok, Instagram, snapchat, Facebook 

Keep in mind that the town crier was required to give the message of the crown, or government. Illiteracy led the listener to believe whatever was spoken to them. These would often be posted (although not many could read it) 

Please take some time and support literacy :
https://www.see-words.com/2019/10/25/10-inspiring-organizations-that-promote-literacy-and-education/

The moment of enlightenment from today:

Be literate to the conversation of the time

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Defning Gratitude
Religious traditions including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism all encourage 
cultivating gratitude as an important moral virtue.  For millennia, gratitude has been a popular topic 
among philosophers:
• Cicero said gratitude “is not only the greatest one but also the mother of all the other remaining virtues”;
• Seneca “ranked ingrates below thieves, rapists and adulterers”;
• Hume wrote, “Of all crimes that human creatures are capable of committing, the most horrid and unnatural is ingratitude”;
• and Adam Smith believed that gratitude was vital for maintaining a society based on goodwill

In this episode we discuss

Why is gratitude important
How do you practice it
What are you grateful for

It was certainly eye opening for this Uncommon Communicator to realize that my approach to gratitude was completely wrong.  I was always looking for the big idea or deep thought to be grateful for. 

In reality , gratitude is intended to be seen and used in every little thing. In fact, if you can find gratitude in the small things you will lead a more fulfilling and happier life. 

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cha·ris·ma - compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.

"she enchanted guests with her charisma"

The word Charisma comes from the Greek meaning divine favor 

Three things we will talk about today 

·        What is charisma?

·        Can you learn it and train for it?

·        What to watch for, the dark side of charisma 

 Characteristics of a charismatic person: 

1. Confidence
Many of the most powerful and successful leaders exude confidence. They rarely show self-doubt and are usually in control of their emotions. To be a strong leader, you will have to practice self-confidence. You can’t second guess yourself or feel shy around your colleagues. Be sure when leading a project, to be positive and see the glass as half full. This will help your confidence come across to your team and can lead to a positive outcome.

2. Creativity
Charismatic leaders often think outside the box and aren’t afraid to take risks. This means that they tend to come up with creative solutions. When a problem arises, strong leaders rise to the challenge—instead of falling to it. When they come up with creative solutions often times this can lead to positive change that will ultimately transform the business in a good way.

3. Vision
Leaders with great charisma are constantly looking towards the future and ways to improve it. They follow their goals and know exactly what they are striving to achieve. Show that you have a vision by expressing it to others on your team. If they know you’re looking to improve the future in some capacity, they will take note.

4. Determination
In order to achieve their vision, leaders have to be determined to hit those goals. Even when they run into challenges, they have to push through. Show your determination as a leader by not giving up when you encounter road blocks and use the other characteristics like creativity and confidence to support your determination. This will surely inspire others.

5. Communication
Great leaders are strong communicators. Specifically, they know to be deliberate and thoughtful in their communication. Strong communicators do not speak in jargon and terms that people may or may not understand. Rather, great communicators speak in plain language that is understood by all. In addition, some of the best leaders I have observed know how to use “stories” to get their message or point across to others. Lastly, being direct and kind is one of the key elements I have seen lead to successful communication.

Why does suppressing emotions matter? Some studies  have shown “emotion suppression absorbs mental resources, deteriorates cognitive performance and impacts memory,” according to Menges. When a person is engaged in emotion suppression, they appear to be less able to make critical decisions , leaving them more vulnerable to individuals who have power. As a result of his findings from these two studies and one other, Menges has called this impact “the awestruck effect.” But he believes that charisma as a dominant, assertive behavior is successful only when it’s matched by submissive behavior on the part of a leader’s followers.

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Manifestation is the idea that a person can actualize their desires by using the power of their subconscious beliefs, and there are numerous entities that purport this to be a real ability we possess as humans.

There actually is a fair amount of science behind the idea of manifestation. For example, the research on growth mindset driven by Dr. Carol Dweck clearly shows that believing you can do something makes it more likely that you actually will do that thing. An example might be that you really believe you can get your dream job of being a therapist. So you work hard to get into a good school, work hard while in school, and create a successful therapy practice that brings you a lot of joy.

It's important to note, though, that this is different from the popular manifesting guides that suggest that believing in something creates it. This science-based approach instead shows us that if we truly believe we can achieve something, we are willing to put in the work to achieve it. And that is key: manifestation takes work. To manifest what we want, we need to believe we can do it, feel strongly enough about it to be persistent, and ultimately engage in the behaviors that bring about the outcomes we desire.
​​There is also research showing that whatever our expectations are, they tend to be confirmed. This is what is known as a self-fulfilling prophecy.

For example, if you wake up "on the wrong side of the bed" and you expect your day will be terrible, you're actually more likely to do things that make your day terrible. You're more likely to see neutral things as terrible. And you're likely to feed a cycle of negative emotions that can manifest the exact negative day you expected.

Indeed, research shows that if we're already feeling bad (if we're anxious for example), we're more likely to interpret neutral circumstances in an anxiety-provoking way. We literally see bad things when they don't exist.

Research has also shown that a negative mood or attitude puts others off, hurting our relationships. This is how our pessimistic attitude actually leads to the exact outcomes we expect. In contrast, people who are generally happy and positive attract more opportunities, have better relationships, and are usually more successful.

It kinda makes sense when you think about it, right? We prefer to be around and help positive, optimistic people. So how do we use the science behind manifestation to create a manifestation plan that really works?

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The news is an Important topic to cover as An Uncommon Communicator.

How the news is delivered and the credibility of the source are important factors in deciding what we accept as the truth.

A great quote form Denzel Washington  : "If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you read the newspaper you are misinformed

Typically a .org or a .Gov can be somewhat reliable sources as there is accountability.

The Newspapers of old as well as the televised network news also have some accountability. Even if they are Bias, you can chose your preferred bias and hopefully the news they are reporting is at least accurate to some level of accountability.

Follow the link to Pew Research Center for the data we discussed on the show:
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/01/12/more-than-eight-in-ten-americans-get-news-from-digital-devices/

Her is a link for a how to on avoiding Click bait :
https://freedom.to/blog/eliminate-clickbait-online/

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Communication is a Skill

Skill in the art of communication is crucial to a leader’s success. They can accomplish nothing unless they communicate effectively – Norman Allen 
6 Tips to the Skill of conversation 

1. Lead with a compliment.

Compliments are the best possible way to begin a conversation. Not only do they provide a perfect opening line and a possible door for discussion, they also make the person feel good about themselves. Starting the conversation off on a positive note is crucial to keep the conversation going.

Just remember, the more specific your compliment is, the better—for example, commenting that a person is well-dressed is nowhere near as satisfying or flattering as saying something like, “Your shoes are cute.” It’s concise, sincere and specific—and now you’ve opened the conversational door because your partner has something to talk about.

2. Embrace small talk.

Small talk is taboo to some people, and while it’s not the most fulfilling type of conversation, it is both functional and necessary. Small talk is what leads the way to deeper conversation, much in the way that a car must gradually accelerate to a certain speed rather than hitting 60 miles an hour instantaneously.

3. Ask lots of questions.

If you want to move from small talk to real conversation, you have to look for any opportunity that leads you to change the subject. Don’t try to abruptly change gears and talk about something deep or substantial; instead, patiently wait for the opportunity to present itself. Questions are conversational lubricant. .

4. Be nice.

This should be obvious, but don’t neglect it. Your level of friendliness can make or break the receptiveness of the other party involved. Walk into the conversation with a big smile and open body language, and keep yourself open, receptive and smiling politely for as much of the conversation as you can.

5. Let the other person do the talking.

This is another major point. If you go into a conversation and immediately begin dominating it with your own anecdotes, comments and explanations, the other person may immediately become disinterested. Instead, try to keep the focus on them as much as possible.

6. Keep it light.

Try to keep the conversation as light and approachable as possible. If you immediately start complaining about your job or talking about what’s wrong with your life, people will want to avoid you. If you tell a joke or an amusing story, they’ll be far more likely to stay.

People tend to gravitate toward others with a positive attitude, so keep your conversational material positive. If you struggle with this, try memorizing a handful of good jokes or good stories to use when you meet new people.

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The Uncommon communicator is the individual that has the enlightenment to recognize in any situation whether communication has occurred. This uncommon communicator takes ownership of the conversation and possess the skills to navigate and facilitate the conversation to mutual understanding.

Welcome to the Uncommon Communicator podcast, your host James Gable and Brandon Thompson are here to bring enlightenment to the topic of communication. 

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but the highest form of Intelligence - Oscar Wilde
sar·casm

the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.

"his voice, hardened by sarcasm, could not hide his resentment"

Sarcasm refers to the use of words that mean the opposite of what you really want to say, especially in order to insult someone, or to show irritation, or just to be funny. For example, saying "they're really on top of things" to describe a group of people who are very disorganized is using sarcasm.

Sarcasm: 

1.    How to recognize 

2.    Used it for good

3.    Used for evil 

How to recognize:

Tone

·        Open mouth, lower pitch than normal for that speaker,

·        extra stress/emphasis (which will elongate some vowels),

·        longer duration of utterance (due to the elongations resulting from added stress),

·        but slightly reduced volume. (Muttered sarcastic comments are quite common.)

·        Sighing while being sarcastic is not uncommon

Facial expressions 

·        The open mouth eye roll is the most common

·        Pursed lips and pinched (furrowed) eyebrows 

·        Raised eyebrows 

·        Shoulder shrug

·        A deadpan or neutral face 

Use it for good 

Sarcasm can be fun and funny as well as used for making a connection

·      Work example ( Sabina) 

·      Creates connection 

·      Sometimes gives the impression of a deeper understanding of the situation, or indicates intelligence 

Used for bad

·      Can turn to passive aggressive very quickly 

·      Used to express frustrations 

·      When used in an argument, can lead to unnecessary escalation 

·      Can come across as hostile or insulting 

·      Is easily passed off as “ I was joking” 

Responding to the Sarcasm 

·      If unsure always ask, the tone and words may not give the message

·      If a speaker directs the sarcasm at themselves, it could be out of an insecurity, reassurance could be in order

·      If the sarcasm is in frustration, be empathetic, there could be a deeper issue to resolve

·      Don’t be quick to take offence, size up the condition of the relationship and the context. 

The moment of enlightenment from today: 

Use sarcasm in fun and be prepared to interpret the intentions of others 

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The context definition in communication refers to the factors that work together to determine the meaning of a message. When conversations take place, context works to interpret parts of the message.

Why is context important?

Context is critical, because it tells you, the receiver, what importance to place on something, what assumptions to draw (or not) about what is being communicated, and most importantly, it puts meaning into the message

Situational context consists of 3 aspects:

Field, Tenor, Mode 

Field: Or Time

·      What is happening? 

·      What social interaction is taking place?

·      What is the participant engaged in ?

Tenor: Or The Person

·      Who is taking part?

·      What is the nature of the participants?

·      What is the role or status of the participant?

o  What is socially significant in the relationships?

Mode: Or the Purpose 

·      What part is the language taking?

·      What are they expecting the language to be expressing?

o  Persuasive

o  Expository

o  Didactic

o  Rhetorical

The moment of enlightenment from today:
Don't assume, use context. 

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The ability to ask questions is with out a doubt a trait of the uncommon communicator. This is a skill as well as a requires some emotional intelligence to sincerely be curious and ask open ended questions to allow the speaker to feel engaged and open. 

For today discussion we will talk about 3 important things to consider:

1.    Be curious ( Genuine and want to learn)

2.    Be a listener 

3.    Ask open ended questions allowing the speaker to elaborate 

Be curious

Curiosity is heavily associated with all aspects of human development, in which derives the process of learning and desire to acquire knowledge and skill. 

Some Brain Science:

Research suggests that the act of wanting and desiring new information directly involves mesolimbic pathways of the brain that directly account for dopamine activation. The use of these pathways and dopamine activation may account for the assigning of value to new information and then interpreting as reward.[10][14][15] This aspect of neurobiology can accompany curiosity-drive theory in motivating exploratory behavior.

Dopamine is linked to the process of curiosity, as it is responsible for assigning and retaining reward values of information gained. Research suggests higher amounts of dopamine is released when the reward is unknown and the stimulus is unfamiliar, compared to activation of dopamine when stimulus is familiar.[14]

Be a listener (Episode 37 – Empathetic listening) 

Active listeners avoid interrupting at all costs, summarize and repeat back what they have heard, and observe body language to give them an extra level of understanding. 

Ask open ended questions

Basically : An open-ended question is a question that cannot be answered with a "yes" or "no" response, or with a static response. Open-ended questions are phrased as a statement which requires a longer response. The response can be compared to information that is already known to the questioner.[1]

Examples: Why, how, what, describe, tell me about, what do you think about

1.    Ask one question at a time

2.    Ask follow-up questions 

a.    Again, pay attention and ask 

2 step questioning is fine and can engage deeper thoughts 

Is it ever right to lie? Followed Why do you think that 

The moment of enlightenment from today

Be curious, be a listener and ask open ended questions

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Intrapersonal communication is a highly effective internal dialogue that guides your beliefs, behaviors, and actions. It’s a powerful tool for developing your authentic self, communicating with others, and boosting happiness. 

3 examples of Intrapersonal Communication

Thinking 

Vocal

Written 

In this episodes we discuss our internal dialogue as well as some do not have the ability to entertain an internal dialogue 
Here are the 7 consequences  that positive thoughts will bring:
Think Positive, Be Positive: What Happens?

• Cope with stress faster and more effectively – instead of dwelling on the negative, positive people look for solutions. And when we find solutions, stress starts to dissipate.
• Improved health – there's evidence that positive thoughts boost resistance to disease and improves the ability to recover from health setbacks.
• Better relationships with people – we're all drawn to positive people, so being positive brings more people into our lives. With a positive attitude, we're also better at communication and negotiation.
• Become more focused – with the power of positive thinking, you're driven to achieve the things that matter to you. You can tune out the noise, and ‘tune in' to what needs to be done.
• Feel more confidence – positivity extends to your view of yourself and your value, boosting your self-worth. The more positive you are, the more you believe in your own potential and give yourself opportunities to fulfill it.
• Be more successful – as a positive person, you not only attract success through the Law of Attraction but are also better at networking and at inspiring others.
• Experience more happiness – it stands to reason that being positive brings you joy, optimism, and satisfaction. When you have a positive mindset, you notice and appreciate the beautiful things in life.

The UC moment for today :
Good vibes and good thoughts , put it out there!

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