Secrets for Engaging Communication
Communication is fundamentally being able to send ideas back and forth under an umbrella of mutual understanding.
However to achieve an “engaging communication”, an exchange that inspires and seduces the listener, the reader, friend or person we love is a much bigger challenge.
People have many names for this type of communicator: charismatic, seductive, interesting, fun to be with, etc. So it appears that this is a valuable skill, how to accomplish it in our everyday talk or writing?
I believe part of the secret is too slowly reveal a never ending treasure of insights, experiences and ideas to our audience. William Faulkner clearly saw this about his writing, but also on the way he communicated with women:
“I never promise a woman anything nor let her know what I’m going to give her. That’s the only way to manage them. Always keep them guessing.”
A smart blogger Laura Fitton recently put it this way:
“Seductive opacity: brains love mystery and curiosity and ‘what’s gonna happen next’ “
I would sum it up this way:
Curiosity and mystery are the keys for engaging communication. So “keep them guessing”, “seductive opacity”, and “surprise!” are one and the same. As long as the mysteries we share are valuable, interesting and never ending people will just be happily connected to us. This applies to all forms of communication and is a valuable tool for life.
