We live in a world where there is an oversupply of words with a corresponding undersupply of learning.
John Maxwell made an interesting observation when he said, “The illiterate are not those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn.”
Speaking as a pastor, I came to the conclusion some years ago that if all I did was preach about what people should be doing, I was in danger of hardening people’s hearts and causing them to become sermon tasters and sermon critics. My words were just the beginning of the process of communication.
I now have come to understand that there are three steps to the process of communicating.
- WHAT is it that I want to communicate in a way that people will clearly understand? This is the content of the matter.
- WHY do they need to know what I have communicated? This is the motivation to put into action what has been heard.
- HOW can they apply what they have heard and take practical steps to put what has been communicated into action.
Experience has revealed to me that most speakers are reasonably competent with the WHAT, not quite as competent with the WHY, and most lacking in the HOW. In fact, if the HOW does not begin with the speaker modelling the message in their own life, it is quite difficult for real learning to take place at all.
Consequently, the provision of training classes are important for people to put the practicalities of what has been said into action. Failing that, it is the responsibility of the motivated student to find ways (usually by way of a mentor) by which they can put into practice that which they have learned.
I remember one of my leaders came to me and said, “Rod, I am watching your life to see how you are putting into practice, the things you are teaching us. So, make sure you practice what you preach.”
I came away from our conversation deeply stirred by the responsibility that came with the opportunity to teach. Edgar Guest wrote a poem many years ago that reflects the wishes of my leader. He began the poem that stresses the need for leaders to practice what they preach with these words:
“Id rather see a sermon than hear one any day; Id rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way….”
Don’t forget, you haven’t communicated until you have moved a person’s head (WHAT), heart (WHY) and hands (HOW). Only then does leadership become INFLUENCE.
“If you learn how to communicate you will increase your self-worth 50% more than any other skill you could learn.” Warren Buffett