Communication, life-line of all Relationships

I heard the story of a man who believed that a woman should not be trusted with ‘vital’ information like how much he makes, his plans for their own house, car e.t.c. At the end the man died having so much money in the bank, two buildings in choice places in the city but only his greedy lawyer had access to all these. The lawyer connived with a lady who impersonated the man’s wife and the things that should have been inherited by his family went to the lawyer and his accomplice. If this man were to look from beyond, what do you think his reaction will be? If he were given a chance to live again what would he do differently?

Communication is the life of any relationship, when it begins to decline the relationship begins to die. Whether you are referring to an issue involving the whole world or those of your household, being informed is a major issue. Divorce does not start in a day, it begins gradually basically because people are not communicating, I agree that lack of understanding between parties causes divorce but this in itself is part of the process of communication. Leaders especially must be very conscious of this human need while leading. It is very essential that you do not leave people to their imaginations or speculations about issues they expect you to communicate to them about, else you (as a leader) are just taking a stroll alone in the park.

In relationships, especially marriage, you do not swear the oath of secrecy since your decisions and actions does not only affect you but all those on board i.e. your spouse and your children basically.

Communication with your people on your goals, plans, aspiration especially your spouse is crucial. As a leader wherever you find yourself, communicate with your people and do not take them for granted. Even your children, communicate with them, do not think they are too young to be carried along, talk to them in the way appropriate to their age. When people are informed they feel a sense of belonging and see themselves as a stakeholder in the business.

Try turning the table around and put yourself in others shoes in all your relationships, in the work place how will you feel if your boss does not communicate with you about the plans for your unit, when there is profit or loss the management says nothing. In your home, your wife informs you one morning that she is resuming in another office today, I mean she has taken up another job, or your son comes home from school and tells you he has changed his course of study in the university. Your leader in the church/mosque tells the congregation that he just single handedly bought a new place of worship for you all (assume you are on the church/mosque board). Truly ask yourself what your reaction will be. This is what you do as a leader each time you fail to communicate to the people you are leading.
Let us redefine the way we relate with people especially our spouses, start talking/communicating and expect budding relationships all around you.

Dupe Oteri
@relateandlive,  dupeoteri.blogspot, relateandlive@yahoo.com,