by Telhare'sha Dawkins

Created on: June 29, 2008   Last Updated: April 24, 2009

Communication is the intrinsic transfer of intentions, ideas and emotions. This can be done through speaking, writing, drawing or painting, singing, dancing, composing or playing music and using sign language. We are all communicators but not everyone is an effective communicator; and even fewer people can successfully "read between the lines."

Effective communication is a primary requirement for successful employment, marriage, membership in organizations, leadership and even a successful career in entertainment. They all involve a communicator and an audience of one or more people. Communicating to your audience effectively means transferring your intention, idea and emotion to these people, in such a way that they hear, see, listen, understand and act. Good communication also means that you are not only seen and heard; but you listen to, receive and respond to others intentional, ideologically emotional transfers.

Communication does not end there - with what can be seen, heard and performed. The ability to read between the lines is a definitive extension and is often misapplied in the form of "assumption." An assumption is a belief, conclusion or acceptance of truth without facts or evidence. We often receive a communication from someone; and, rather than taking it at face value, we add our assumption to it based upon what the person did not say. Our assumptions tend to cause us to expect too little, expect too much or expect the wrong thing altogether. When we assume, our subsequent behavior or actions usually results in argument, confusion, division and defeat in public and private relationships, personal achievements and in personal solace.

It is extremely injurious to assume or make an assumption about what someone is communicating to you; but it is very important to accurately read between the lines of their communication. Reading between the lines means comprehending and reaching a conclusion about a silent, still and seemingly non-existent communication. The action or verbiage omitted by a person during the course of visual or auditory communication is what is called communication "between the lines." When you can "read" these omissions, you are able to reach conclusions that are based upon what you know about the communicator's life experience, historical behavior, current motive or motivation and his/her related short or long-term goals.

Properly reading between the lines allows you to provide a response to the communicator that is not only satisfactory but that

1. resolves unanswered questions or problems 2. fulfills unspoken requests 3. supplies unrevealed needs and 4. anticipates future problems.

Reading between the lines helps you to be comprehensive, direct, caring and relevant to the person who's communicating with you. This holistic approach assists in avoiding

1. risk 2. misunderstanding 3. breakdown of work, social and familial relationships 4. loss of personal finances or corporate revenues 5. distraction from goals and 6. misuse of time.

It is vital to be able to provide comprehensive communication, so that people do not look for resolutions in ways and in areas that violate vows, policy, strategy, human rights and personal convictions. As you make greater efforts toward effective communication, remember that it is just as important to respond to what has not been communicated, as it is to respond to what has been communicated, for the general preservation of human livelihood.

Learn more about this author, Telhare'sha Dawkins.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.