Dr Nyanga Comms Academy

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 - 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐑 𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘

Indeed in life many people value different things. Some value their peace while others value being seen as right.

It is important therefore, when you are involved in a discussion or an argument, to know where you or your fellow discussant falls in this regard.

However, for Devang Gohel, that Indian Architect and Marketer, "peace is always more important than proving your point."

This is because some people may go out all the way to prove a point that they are right, even if they are not, and even if such action may contaminate the peaceful environment that may be there at that point in time.

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 - 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐑 𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘.

Although leaders are human like all other people, those that follow them believe that they are a special breed that can make a difference in their lives. Whenever people or team members are experiencing some challenges, when they meet the leader, they expect some difference after the meeting.

"As a leader, every conversation, meeting and encounter is a chance to inspire, motivate and uplift those around you," says that great author Gifford Thomas.

Therefore, as leaders in all your different settings, you should always ensure that you do not leave your team members worse off than when you found them.

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 - 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐑 𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘.

As we are always told, the difficulties, challenges, trials and tribulations that many of us undergo or underwent, are actually meant to prepare us for the future. What this means is that having gone through some situations helps us build resilience and better wisdom to confront future challenges.

Brene Brown, that American academic, emphasises this position when she says the following:

"One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else's survival guide."

Therefore, dear friends and colleagues, you should always be willing to share those experiences with others so that they don't fall on the same pitfalls that you may in the time past, have fallen into.

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 - 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐑 𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘

Always remember that although the message shared with anyone who may have acted wrongly or may be about to act wrongly, to help them not repeat or not to act in a certain way, is the same, the approach used may relay a different message.

When the approach is civil and choice of words more measured, it may be understood as advice. When conducted publicly in a harsh tone, such that the receiver may end up being embarrassed, it may be understood as a message of shaming.

Author Ibn Rajab al-Hambali, advises us in his book, "Difference between advising and shaming," that the approach chosen may result in the receiver understanding the message as advice or as one meant to shame him.

Therefore, your approach and platform, and not your words per se, may determine how your message is taken.

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 - 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐑 𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘

As advised by Marcus Aurelius, that ancient Roman Emperor, it is not all the time that you have to preach about that which you believe is right. Sometimes you just have to be that example.

"Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Instead, become one, through your actions and daily choices," says Marcus Aurelius.

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 - 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐑 𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘

Even as you guide and mentor your children into responsible citizens of the future, never forget that they are not you. They are different people in their own right.

In fact Plato, that Greek philosopher of ancient times, reminds us that our children are actually meant to be different from us.

"Don't force your children into your ways, for they were created for a time different from your own," says Plato.

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 - 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐑 𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘

A person's real beauty is not on the outside, but on the inside. Dalai Lama, that Tibetan spiritual leader captures this position for us thus:

"People are not beautiful for how they look or speak. They are beautiful for how they love, care, and treat others," says Dalai Lama.

How you treat others, says more about your inner self than what you say about yourself.

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 - 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐑 𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘

It is human nature to want to be recognised or acknowledged as an important person. However, T. S Eliot, that American born British poet, cautions us against causing trouble for ourselves or for others, as we strive to look important and be recognised by those who matter.

"Most trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be important," says T. S Eliot.

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 - 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐑 𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘

Today i wish to share the following words of wisdom from Menander, that ancient Greek playwright:

"Even in anger, do not reveal your friend's secrets."

I rest my case.

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐒 - 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐃𝐑 𝐍𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘

In case you want to join or start some argument, this is how Amber Veal, that American youngster, advises:

"Before you argue with someone, ask yourself, is that person even mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of different perspectives? Because if not, there is absolutely no point."