Strategies for Overcoming Communication Challenges in Work and Study
Effective communication, both in work and study, is crucial for success. However, there are times when the person you're communicating with finds it challenging to understand what you are explaining. This can be particularly difficult, especially in older people, such as myself, who have had to adapt to different forms of communication over the years. Here, I will share some strategies and insights that might help you overcome these challenges.
Understanding the Nature of the Difficulty
Your difficulty in understanding can be categorized as Auditory Learning. This type of learning involves having trouble comprehending what others are saying. Some people, including those tasked with teaching, might not be natural communicators and tend to mix non-essential information with essential information. These individuals may find it difficult to convey complex concepts in a clear and concise manner.
Strategies for Improvement
One effective way to address this issue is by implementing the following strategies:
1. Develop a Cognizant Mindset
When someone explains something, it should be viewed merely as the beginning of your learning journey. It's essential to understand that the first explanation may not be the most comprehensive or clear. Take the time to research and gather more information. Libraries are great resources, but they have their limitations. Big box bookstores, often, carry only ordinary books, so finding the right source requires a bit of investigative work.
2. Organize and Categorize Information
To better understand complex information, it's helpful to take notes and organize the information in a structured way. Write down what was said by whom, when, where, and why it was said. Consider how the information was presented. These principles can be applied to all forms of learning and can significantly enhance comprehension.
3. Utilize Multiple Resources
In many cases, particularly with subjects like arithmetic and algebra, multiple resources can provide a more comprehensive and detailed explanation. The internet is a vast resource of information. There are countless websites that offer clear and concise explanations. Some might be ordinary and not very helpful, but you might find a few that offer excellent explanations.
4. Recognize Jargon and Key Concepts
Often, explanations and lessons may contain industry-specific jargon, which can make comprehension difficult. It's crucial to be aware of this and to seek to understand the meaning behind the jargon. Learning about jargon can be crucial, as not everyone who explains things, including teachers and professionals, always understands the concepts they are presenting.
5. Build a Community of Trusted Sources
To navigate the vast world of information, it's helpful to build a network of trusted sources. Identify people who are easy to understand and then research who they follow. This can help you form a chain of reliable experts and resources. For example, if someone who is easy to understand cites a particular scholar as a credible source, it's worth researching that scholar further. Sometimes, the greatest experts in a field can be found in less obvious places.
The Value of Deductive Learning
As you learn and gather information, consider the concept of deductive learning. Just as I did when learning on the old telephone exchange, you can use analogies and foundational principles to break down complex information. For instance, understanding that all numbers can be multiplied by 1 and divided by 1 can help simplify algebraic operations. This type of insight can be invaluable in many subjects and can help you grasp complex concepts more easily.
Final Thoughts
Remember that your journey of learning is never over. Every piece of information you gather is just the beginning. Be diligent in your research and stay open to new ideas. By employing these strategies, you can overcome communication challenges and achieve a deeper understanding of the subjects you are studying.
If you have specific subjects you're struggling with, let me know, and I can provide more targeted advice.