Fundamentals for wellness communication-

10 good health choices, 10 words or less. List #37

When building you wellness culture, one of the key components is communication between you and those you lead and the way they communicate with each other. Communication requires both talking and listening. Be as simple as possible and say it well using direct and clear language. Specificity, clarity, consistency and credibility matter most. Information is not communication, we are in the “all you can eat” buffet line of information but we are starving to communicate. You don’t learn much when you are talking. Listen twice as much as you speak hence the two ears and only one mouth. Speak when you have knowledge on a subject, listen when you don’t. Get to resolutions and solutions; don’t hide behind half-truths and blame. If you can, make people laugh, it is the shortest distance between two people.

1. Be able to say “YES” or “NO”, and deliver.

2. Listen.

3. Tell the truth.

4. Laugh or cause laughter.

5. Use your manners.

6. Say what you mean! Communicate clearly.

7. Don’t jump or claim to understand people too quickly.

8. Make sure people can depend on you.

9. Inform in stages- A little, more, then more and REPEAT!

10. Make your decisions in advance based on ethics.