Is A and B is talking, But Only A is Listening: The Epic Battle of Active and Passive Communication
When two friends, A and B, engage in a conversation, A's ears are always ready to listen, while B's mouth is perpetually open. Their chat sounds like a one-sided monologue, with B dominating the dialogue and A merely reacting. This scenario is an apt illustration of the age-old battle between active and passive communication. On one hand, active communication thrives on engaging listeners and sparking meaningful exchanges. On the other hand, passive communication stalls on one-way information transmission, leaving most listeners disengaged.
The outcome of their chat battle has far-reaching implications in various aspects of our lives. Active communication is, for instance, a decisive factor in building strong interpersonal relationships. Conversations need to be a give-and-take rather than a one-sided lecture. In workplaces, leaders who practice active communication tend to have better-performing teams. In romantic relationships, both parties must lend each other their ears to cultivate a deep understanding.
To illustrate how to have a two-way conversation, consider it like a tennis match. Player A starts the exchange (your first swing) and Player B responds with their own engaging thoughts, (your opponent's shot back). In most cases, both players do their 'back swing' (collecting and analyzing data), to improve accuracy and add depth to the response. After that 'shot', they collect and analyze their thoughts before taking their next action (a new back swing).
A and B, in fact, have many differences beyond their communication style. They reflect fundamentally different worldviews. One admires the value of direct, in-person interactions, while the other favors conversations via social media. One reaps the reward of true connections and meaningful partnerships, whereas the other is left with digital acquaintances lacking depth.
Their contrasting personalities draw parallels with other known communication styles. Consider the amplifier, an adaptive listener who skilfully utilizes verbal cues, tone, facial expressions, and body posture to convey agreement or disagreement. In comparison, the processor may analyze a message just a sentence at a time, carefully parsing the meaning before responding. The latter exemplifies an active communication style, a truly savant listener looking beyond literal meanings.
The proponents of passive communication assert that leading a conversation through domination or dictation is the most effective way. But what happens when neither person really listens? The knowledge gets weighed down. On the other hand, it is only when two interconnected ideas engage that potential breakthroughs arise.
Thomas Jefferson expressed a point similar to A's experience saying "The penetration that there is in reciprocal communication is well understood by... easily getting belief." People can speak more fluently. This message denotes the dramatic switch from monopolizing to tandem engaging conversations.
