Four Elements in Our Communication
Successful communication is necessarily balanced. Communication is collaboration — and balance begins with speaking and listening in turn and in fair proportion. Speaking is pointless without hearing — and hearing is pointless when the message is a jumbled mess.
With guidance from the elements, we discover wholesome foundations and methods for communication. Sample applications and more elaborate notes will be provided in due time. For now, please crack the kernels and engage the essence of the compass.
Elements of Speaking ¶
When we have something significant to communicate, attention to the five elements contributes to a well-rounded exchange.
- ⛰️ Earth: We determine the message with a well-grounded map of key points.
- 🌊 Water: We attune our approach to match the listener's mood and capacity.
- 🔥 Fire: We discuss ideas with clarity and reason toward mutual understanding.
- ☁️ Air: We unveil perspectives and explore their meanings and implications.
- 🌌 Space: We create an unburdened environment with freedom and detachment.
The elements are separate yet interconnected, each with their key contributions to our conversation — ⛰️ supporting foundation, 🌊 responsive flow, 🔥 clear process and ☁️ meaningful perspective in 🌌 unbiased space. Integrated in balance, they facilitate ⛰️ grounded, 🌊 adaptive, 🔥 coherent, ☁️ enriching and 🌌 unburdened communication.
⛰️ Earth: Subject & Foundation ¶
- Set Your Points: Determine the main points you need to make — and stay true to them.
- Check Your Facts: Ensure your points are grounded and valid — don't mix ideas and facts.
- Map Your Message: Chart your points into a structured sequence — and follow through.
🍀 In short: "What", "Check", and "Map".
Your main points need to be well-selected — relevant and important. Not every point needs to be made. Then, ensure that your points are factual — and remain open for new information and revision. We learn as we interact. Finally, map them into a progressive frame of delivery and introduce them in order. With this, we have a supporting and well-rooted foundation for communication.
If we neglect the Earth, our ground is shaky. Our points are muddled — we're sowing random seeds. Our claims are unrooted — those seedlings will collapse. Our structure is jumbled and our points lack synergy — a haphazard plantation where no plant thrives. Cultivate your field before you open your mouth. Respect your message — take care of the supporting groundwork.
🌊 Water: Approach & Adaptation ¶
- Time & Place: Find a time and place where the participant is available, attentive and receptive.
- Tone & Pacing: Review your mood and tone of voice; set an appropriate pace for your delivery.
- Review & Reflect: Observe and keep adjusting your approach based on the participant's reactions.
🍀 In short: "When", "How", and "Adapt".
All topics in their season, so choose your moment — say the right thing at the right time. Then, adjust your mode to match the needs of the participants — level of language, tone and emotion, pace of progress. Finally, be reflective — read the room and adapt to accommodate the emergent dynamics. With this, we have a responsive and resonating flow for communication.
If we neglect the Water, our flow is hindered. We speak out of season — meeting indifference or irritation. We speak on our terms — and no-one relates to our message. We ignore the feedback from our recipients — risking alienation and loss of engagement. Attune your flow before you pour out your words. Respect your audience — the vase is your flow's measure.
🔥 Fire: Delivery & Impact ¶
- Clarity & Focus: Make your points clearly and stick to the topic — avoid drifts or tangents.
- Reason & Discourse: Develop your points in good sequence — and ensure your arguments are valid.
- Verify Delivery: Confirm that each point has been noted and understood before moving onward.
🍀 In short: "Clear", "Coherent", and "Noted".
Your points need to be clearly presented — simple and lucid, not blurry or distracted. Clarity and focus go hand-in-hand. Then, each point should make sense — and they should also make sense when connected. Avoid leaps and flawed reasoning. Finally, confirm you've been heard and well-noted — without forcing agreement. With this, we have a clear and impactful process for communication.
If we neglect the Fire, our impact is impaired. We drift out of focus — and our points never land in clearly. We ramble without gameplan and argue beyond reason — creating confusion and frustration. We deem it said and done — but if nobody understood, it was moot. Hone your delivery, make the words count. Respect your engagement — clarity leads to transformation.
☁️ Air: Meaning & Purpose ¶
- Perspective: Advance an eye-opening frame of reference with mutual relevance and meaning.
- Purpose: Show the intent and purpose of your message — its importance and consequences.
- Conclusions: Summarize what's been covered and how we carry our conclusions into the future.
🍀 In short: "Where", "Why", and "Summary".
Your message becomes meaningful when it lands into a shared frame of reference. Discover that framing. Share your intention and purpose — the reasons behind the importance of your points. Finally, wrap up the conversation with an overview — and affirm the consensus that was reached. With this, we have a meaningful shared orientation for communication.
If we neglect the Air, our horizon is obscured. We speak without direction — with many paths that lead us nowhere. Our message is aimless — and also meaningless and inconsequential. We ignore the wrapup — and what was covered is forgotten and scattered by the wind. Frame your message into a meaningful map. Respect shared relevance — align perspectives in every direction.
🌌 Space: Accept & Embrace ¶
- Detachment: Remain detached from predefined goals — let emerging truths determine the shared outcome.
- Embodiment: Be the space of the potential field — open, hold, and stretch that space for everyone.
- Acceptance: It's an imperfect world — embrace the little wins and let your shared realizations evolve.
🍀 In short: "Detach", "Host", and "Accept".
Seek a middle-ground with enough room for everyone — detach from your fixed assertions. Allow digestive space for everyone — and change pace or skip topics to preserve it. Be grateful for the win-wins you've discovered — the building blocks for shared evolution. Our issues are resolved in due time — and in due space. With this, we have a healthy environment for interaction.
If we neglect the Space, our world is congested. We attach to my way only — what a claustrophobic one-way classroom. We ignore the role of space — friction, clashes, and disharmony follow. We want it all or nothing — ending up with nothing instead of something. Appreciate the need for gaps, pauses, and silence. Respect the space — and substance will find its harmonies.