http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Q6UK5q3W0
This is a Chinese song titled ‘Simple Song’ by Leehom Wang, a highly successful Taiwanese American singer-songwriter. Loosely translated, the first verse is expressing that the world is too complicated, and this distort his words. The chorus implies that the singer just wants to write a simple song to make someone (presumably a lady) happy, with the song being simple yet creating a lasting impression.
In my eyes, the world is as complicated as the song implies. There are simply too many barriers that will get in the way of communication and lead to many unnecessary misunderstandings. A quick glance through the textbook, The Science of Effective Communication, shows plenty: physiological, environmental, emotional, mental and socio-cultural barriers. As Tom Peters, an American writer said, ‘if you’re confused, you’re paying attention.’
My four years in NUS are soon coming to an end. While NUS has equipped me with the essential technical knowledge, there is much more than academic achievement as I step out into the society. I was flipping through the newspapers and saw this quote:
‘Grades only open doors, it takes much more to walk through them and survive the path you choose.’
It found resonance in me. My degree will only be able to influence my first job, but whether I succeed and climb up the corporate ladder will also depend on the leadership qualities, my relationship with my colleagues etc. All these boil down to effective communication between people. I believe that effective communication will be a very important skill that will prevent many heart aches from misinterpreting messages. It can also help build up rapport and aid in interpersonal communication.
The road of a thousand miles starts now. Now is the time to tear down the barriers, and make the world a simple and pleasant one.
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7 comments:
Hi Jimmy,
I agree with you that the world is a complicated place, tearing down barriers involves effective communication and a large dose of sincerity. Grades open the window to the first job opening, it also requires capability as well as the ability to manage inter-personal relationships.
Ho Teck
You're right about qualifications only taking us so far. In Britain, In the UK, Margaret Thatcher's successor as PM was John Major who didn't have any qualifications at all. He was not even very charismatic however apparently his attitude and drive came to the notice of some high level figures in the bank he worked in and thereafter his rise to the top was meteoric. Makes you think, doesn't it?
Teacher-Fiona
Hello Jimmy!
Indeed, the world has evolved into a far more complicated place from what it used to be. Technology and an increasingly open society have made expressing ourselves far more accessible; though that does not necessarily make it any easier. An English philosopher, Herbert Spencer, championed the thought that ideas should be put forth in a way that required the least amount of effort on the audience to understand. I believe that this is what we should strive towards in cultivating effective communication skills.
Cheers!
Mei Ling
Hi Jimmy,
I agree that effective communication is really important in the workplace, especially when there is office politics.I have experience such cases and this communication breakdown will really delay the completion of tasks.
Hey Jimmy, that's a really interesting interpretation of the song and used as an example for effective communication. Indeed, communication is a skill that can help us a lot in all our relationship; professional and personal.
To Mei Ling,
Yes I agree that at times, technology does not make expressing ourselves easier. In fact, it can even make it worse. Conservations through telephones have removed the non verbal aspect of communication, while electronic mails allow us to communicate through text alone. We would be more prone to miscommunication as it would be harder to figure out the true intentions or mood of the sender simply from words.
The idea by Herbert Spencer seems very similar to what Leonardo da Vinci said: Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Or in other words, keep it short and sweet!
Perhaps it is a simple world after all!
Jimmy
ES2007S Group 2
To receiver,
Wow! I read from Wikipedia that when John Major was pressed about his precise qualifications, he actually answered “he couldn’t remember” what he had attained. In fact, he even applied to be a bus conductor after leaving school although he was beaten to it by another applicant. Imagine what would have happened if he was successful then!
Certainly food for thought and an inspiration for everyone!
Jimmy
ES2007S Group 2
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