Communication.

I came across a great quote a while ago, from none other than the late and great George Bernard Shaw, “the single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

In other words, if you don’t consider how your messaging is going to be received, you run the risk of it being missed all together. 

It reminded me of a class I had when I first started studying Communications back in my early twenties, during which our lecturer explained what I considered to be an epiphanic concept: that it was a communicator’s responsibility to ensure the message being delivered was adequately interpreted by the recipient.

Communication is defined as the effective delivery of an intended message. Whether by speech or writing, body language or song, communication is the way in which we connect with others and share our thoughts, knowledge and ideas. And, importantly, it comes with a responsibility to ensure that the message being communicated is received and appropriately understood. Particularly when it’s intended to evoke a response from the recipient.

That’s a tall order for anyone; Communications expert or otherwise!

Well-crafted, authentic communication that delivers on purpose, tone, and cause to take action is not something that should be hurried. It requires an acute sense of intention, an understanding of relevant values, and the language skills to bring it all together. In fact, until I dissected the process myself I never truly appreciated the complexities of good quality communication.

It’s something that has always intrigued me. I’ve studied it, I’ve done courses on it, I have written essays on the subject, I have improved my own skills - personally and professionally - and now I help others improve theirs, too. I’m passionate about communication because it helps our ability to connect with other humans, and that is - after all - the thing that makes us subconsciously tick.

From blog posts to digital advertising to songs to personal biographies to storytelling to technical writing to ghostwriting to brand positioning… I’ve communicated a bunch of stuff in my time and I’ve enjoyed every challenge. So what’s next?

Today: a blog post about the colours of Pounamu, an instructional card for cocktail makers, a biography for a talented designer and a brand audit of an up-and-coming personal care brand. Just another day at Deacon Rd.!