Symmetric vs Asymmetric Communication
We humans have a tendency to forget our audience when we communicate. Sometimes, when we write e-mails we end up using a ‘spoken style’ with a few smileys that is rather different from how we communicated before e-mail became part of our communications venues.
In computer science, a similar word, synchronous vs asynchronous transfer refers to the fact that one type IS fixed both timewise and speed-wise, whereas the other depends upon a specific protocol to negotiate the type of communication between modems. Today, rather unnecessary, but still a good example of what I am talking about in a few moments.
Because when we are at the same level – intellectually and otherwise – we CAN have symmetric communication. The effort is rather different if I was a doctor trying to explain how a family member at my hospital was doing to a person who, obviously would – statistically speaking – not be a doctor, but similarly might even have language hindrances. That would make asymmetric communication even harder – due to the language barrier…
We MUST learn to adapt our language to our specific segment. It is challenging when you only have 140 characters on Twitter, but you need to make the effort if you want to make an impact on your audience.
We take these things for granted, especially if we are accustomed to surrounding ourselves with people at our same level of intellect, language etc. When we forget to adapt our style of writing, we end up losing a big part of the audience without ever intending to do so.
Now, this is where I would like your feedback. What is your impression of this blog? What can I improve? What would you like to know more about? Thanks for participating… 🙂