Why Effective Communication is Important

There are lots of reasons why effective communication is important, but perhaps the main reason is that it allows people to lead more satisfying lives.

How in the world did I arrive at that conclusion?

By using the So What? Method, which consists of asking "so what" repeatedly for each answer given, until the answer is self-evident.

Let’s do it step by step with three exercises using a different seed answer (in bold) for each exercise.

Exercise 1 on why effective communication is important

Why is effective communication important?

Because it helps you to avoid misunderstandings at work.

So what? If you can avoid misunderstandings, you will be able to know what others (your boss, your clients, or other people) are truly asking you or telling you.

So what? If you can understand what others are saying, you will not come to the wrong conclusions or take the wrong actions about what you hear.

So what? By avoiding wrong conclusions or actions about what others say, you will make fewer unnecessary mistakes.

So what? By making fewer unnecessary mistakes, you will be more at peace, worry less about the consequences of your words and actions.

So what?> By worrying less about your words and actions, you will have more peace of mind.

So what? By having more peace of mind, you will lead a more satisfying life.

Exercise 2 with another possible answer (in bold)

Why is effective communication important?

Because it helps you say what you really want to say.

So what? If you express what you really want to express, you will voice your needs, your desires, your opinions.

So what? When you voice your needs, your chances of getting what you want grow exponentially. As Woody Allen would say: "80% of success is showing up". Paraphrasing that: 80% of getting what you want is asking.

So what? When you ask for and get what you want, you are living life full out, you are not withholding, you are not pretending. You are experiencing the joy of full self-expression.

So what? Full self-expression leads to a more satisfying life.

And yet a third exercise with another possible answer (in bold)

Why is effective communication important?

Because it allows you to understand other people better, and be understood by them.

So what? Mutual understanding leads to better connection with people.

So what? Better connection with people satisfies the human need for belonging.

So what? Satisfying one of the most important human needs leads to a more satisfying life.

Ok, enough exercises on why effective communication is important. Try doing one exercise using your own seed answer and see if you arrive at the same conclusion. Drop me a note either way, I would be interested to learn about your own findings.