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THREAD:
One thing I consistently notice is how interpersonal communications skills are almost non-existent among the left.
This is not a post attacking anyone. I genuinely believe that we all need to work on this at least on a low key level across the board.
Notes on this:
One thing I consistently notice is how interpersonal communications skills are almost non-existent among the left.
This is not a post attacking anyone. I genuinely believe that we all need to work on this at least on a low key level across the board.
Notes on this:
This includes both in person and digital communications. We need to stop this "only people in the loop can comprehend this thread" type of posting. We need to stop relying so heavily on implication and sarcasm for contextual meaning.
Posts need to be made accessible. Twitter went ahead and gave us all the ability to add alt text image captions for screen readers, yet only a handful of you ever use the function. It takes less than 30 seconds to make your post accessible. Do it.
And I could keep going, but seriously, people ask why there's so much leftist in-fighting and why leftist movements often fall apart before they can develop further.
It has a lot to do with poor interpersonal communication skills and related elements that overlap.
It has a lot to do with poor interpersonal communication skills and related elements that overlap.
This applies for all interaction types and levels. Whether it's one on one, group or public speaking, pitches or proposals, writing (articles, guides, etc.)
Communication is so key to every single thing that needs to be achieved.
Communication is so key to every single thing that needs to be achieved.
And obviously, there are disabled comrades who need other comrades to listen (active listening skills = key to effective communication). Become familiar with non-verbal comms, visual comms, alternative preferred comms methods. Inclusivity is key for any collective.
Here are some simple exercises for leftists to critically analyse political and personal communication skills:
Exercise 1: Listen to speeches or read materials if you can from your favourite leftist figures. What made them effective communicators? How did their tone and phrasing change based on the type of audience or intention of the work?
Exercise 2: Here is an active listening self-assessment form FOR NEUROTYPICAL PEOPLE ONLY, see next comment for neurodiverse version and notes. Answer honestly or have someone else ask you the questions and record your answers if possible. See how you score.
Exercise 2, with the NEURODIVERSE version of the active listening questionnaire above: Eye contact, staying still, etc. is often not possible or sustainable for us. It is exhausting. Ignore numbers 4, 5, 8, and 10 in this image if you are neurodivergent/adjust as needed.
Abled people need to understand differences in communication ability and need, and not make assumptions.
People on the left love jumping in each other's shit as fast as possible, but this does nothing except often alienate people who really are trying to listen and speak fairly
People on the left love jumping in each other's shit as fast as possible, but this does nothing except often alienate people who really are trying to listen and speak fairly
This sheet isn't perfect but has some excellent general advise for active listening skills.
Essentially, don't make assumptions, admit we all need to work on this on the left, and if anyone else has any resources or commentary, please feel free to add it.
Again, this thread is not aimed at anyone specifically, these communication issues are widespread if not universal.
Again, this thread is not aimed at anyone specifically, these communication issues are widespread if not universal.
