People Want to Be Heard
With all of the communication tools that we have today, it appears that we can certainly improve on half of what good communications is about…listening. People want to be heard in all aspects of their lives. Citizens want the government to hear their voice. Employees want their bosses to hear their points of view. Wives want their husbands to hear their requests.
Recently, the White House’s “We the People” has taken off, by doubling over a six-month span. This is a platform that allows citizens to view current petitions, add a signature to emphasize the importance of these issues, and if there are enough, the government will view this petition as a concern of the people. With the increased usage of technology and primarily the Internet, citizens are able to connect to the government and others that may feel strongly about a particular issue and they are able to “use the Internet as a platform for collective action.” As President Obama says, “That’s what the new We the People feature on WhiteHouse.gov is all about – giving Americans a direct line to the White House on the issues and concerns that matter most to them.” The biggest leap forward that this feature has provided, is the acknowledgement of the 32 varying petitions related to gun violence to which President Obama responded. This only gives Americans the confidence that their voices are being heard.
Being heard in the workplace is essential for employees in order for them to feel satisfied with their jobs and confident in their co-worker support. A unique technology, FacilitatePro, features tools that assist in brainstorming, capturing ideas, action planning, surveying, documenting and categorizing. This type of enhancement “changes group dynamics by allowing people to contribute anonymously and gives people time to think individually while sharing ideas with others.” In groups, some people tend to shy away from expressing their opinions and conforming with the group majority, while this technology will provide an outlet for those employees and allow others to brainstorm on their own and contribute as the thoughts are developed. Employees will be relieved and encouraged when they know that their voice is heard amongst the group and by their supervisor.
And finally, being heard within one’s personal life is the key to strong communication. It is imperative that couples (married, straight and gay) listen to one another and speak about their concerns or setbacks. Personal communication is key in this situation, not information communication. There is a huge difference. Communication between couples or partners revolves around the development of a renewed relationship. After all, “Creating love in your relationship paves the way for effective communication.” This relationship is about the “depth of connection between the communicators.” Couples, by relating again on a deeper level, can feel as though they are being heard and listened to.
Altogether, the weight of feeling heard holds strong importance to many individuals in today’s society. There is a plethora of ways to communicate with one another to express our opinion, but determining the right mode of communication is what is most important. Using the We the People platform will help citizens shorten the gap between them and the government. FacilitatePro will help employees feel comfortable to express their brainstorming ideas on a timely basis. And, improving personal connections will help couples. After all, people want to be heard.
