Communication is Key

“Christlike communications are expressed in tones of love rather than loudness. They are intended to be helpful rather than hurtful. They tend to bind us together rather than to drive us apart. They tend to build rather than to belittle . . . Christlike communications are expressions of affection and not anger, truth and not fabrication, compassion and not contention, respect and not ridicule, counsel and not criticism, correction and not condemnation. They are spoken with clarity and not with confusion. They may be tender or they may be tough, but they must always be tempered" ~ Elder L. Lionel Kendrick of the Seventy

What do we need to do to communicate our ideas/feelings? There are several factors to consider:
When we have ideas/feelings we wish to communicate to someone, we must first encode our message. Encoding means "to put a message into code"
The encoded message is taken and conveyed through what is known as the medium/media; better known as words, tone, gesture, facial expression, posture, proximity, actions.
The individual you are communicating with must then decode the ideas/feelings being expressed through the medium/media.

Some interesting facts to keep in mind:

• Messages are conveyed through: 

          Words: 14%
          Tone: 35%
          Non-Verbal: 51%

•  If there's a conflict with tone & word, then we usually believe the tone. 
• We fail to communicate when we:

-Don't smile with our eyes.
-Look at/talk to someone differently than with another individual.
- Posture (folding arms)
-Little use of words (i.e. "Fine", "Whatever", "Sure", "Okay")

Communication takes time and effort. As we carefully use more media/medium in our communications, the greater the interpretation and understanding there will be. There is clarity and allows for opportunities to practice and better our communications with others.

• How can I be a better communicator? 

Council. (Discuss consensus rather than compromise)
Speak openly.
Be frank.