The Art of Effective Communication: What you say Isn't Always What Is Understood
- Adan Aguirre
- Jul 5, 2025
- 4 min read
In a world where we communicate faster every day but not necessarily better, learning to convey ideas effectively has become an essential skill. Communication is not simply the act of speaking or writing, but a deep process of connection, understanding, and positive influence. The real impact of communication lies not in what we say, but in what the other person understands, assimilates, and feels.
Communication Goes Beyond Words
Studies by psychologist Albert Mehrabian reveal a surprising fact: when we talk about emotions and attitudes, only 7% of the message is transmitted through words. The remaining 38% is through tone of voice and a significant 55% through body language (Mehrabian, 1971).
For example, you might say "I'm fine," but if you say it with an apathetic tone, crossed arms, and avoiding eye contact, your listener will understand the opposite. That’s why communication isn’t just about speaking—it’s about aligning your body, voice, and message in one consistent direction.
Intention vs. Interpretation
Peter Drucker put it clearly: "Listening is not a skill; it is a discipline. Anyone can do it. You just have to keep your mouth shut" (Drucker, 1990). We often assume that because we’ve spoken, the message has been understood. But in reality, communication is measured by the effect it has on the listener, not by the speaker’s intention.
This leads us to a fundamental principle: the responsibility for effective communication is shared. The speaker must be clear, empathetic, and consider the listener’s emotional context. And the listener must engage in active listening—without judgment and with the goal of understanding before responding.
The Power of Identification
Understanding doesn’t automatically arise from language. According to various social psychology studies, the identification between speaker and listener directly influences the quality of communication. The more empathy, trust, or shared values there are between both parties, the more willing they are to listen and understand.
This is why great communicators don’t just master language—they also connect emotionally with their audience. They know how to listen, show interest, and adapt their message to the context. This ability is key for any leader, entrepreneur, or professional who wants to positively influence others.
Facts vs. Opinions: Learning to Differentiate
Many team or personal relationship conflicts arise because we confuse facts with opinions. Distinguishing between the two is crucial to avoid misunderstandings and faulty judgments.
Characteristics of a fact:
It is true or real.
It can be verified through observation, research, or experimentation.
It is supported by objective evidence.
Characteristics of an opinion:
It is a belief, judgment, or subjective feeling.
It cannot be verified with absolute certainty.
It is usually influenced by emotions, values, or personal experiences.
Example:
Fact: Adán spoke for eight minutes without pause.
Opinion: Adán monopolizes conversations.
By learning to separate facts from opinions, we can communicate with greater objectivity and respect—especially in work or decision-making environments.
Communication vs. Conversation
Although they sound similar, communication and conversation are not the same.
Communication is the process of exchanging information. It can be one-way (like an announcement) and doesn’t necessarily require a response.
Conversation is an exchange of ideas, emotions, and opinions between two or more people. It involves feedback, listening, and mutual adaptation.
In teams, both are important, but conversation is what builds culture, trust, and creativity. A good team doesn’t just share data—it engages, explores, listens, and builds together.
Leadership and Interpersonal Communication
As a person climbs the organizational ladder, their technical responsibilities decrease while their interpersonal engagement increases. Research by Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus reinforces this: “Our senior executives spent about 90% of their time dealing with people problems” (Bennis & Nanus, 1985).
This means that leadership success is directly tied to the ability to communicate with clarity, empathy, and consistency. A good leader doesn’t just speak well—they listen, ask questions, connect, and build trust.
What Is a Team Leader?
A team leader is someone who inspires, motivates, and guides a group toward common goals. Beyond tasks, they focus on people. Their communication is two-way, human, and results-oriented.
Example: A leader senses tension in the team. Instead of imposing solutions, they call a meeting to listen actively, validate emotions, and facilitate agreements—thus strengthening commitment and alignment.
What Is a Team Coordinator?
A coordinator organizes, plans, and monitors specific tasks. Their focus is on processes, timelines, and resources. Still, strong communication remains essential.
Example: A project coordinator notices some team members are confused about their roles. They decide to bring the team together to clarify responsibilities and establish clear communication channels.
Active Listening: The Forgotten Tool
Many communication problems don’t stem from poor speaking, but from poor or insufficient listening. Active listening involves:
Giving full attention (without interrupting or thinking of a response while the other person speaks).
Validating what the other person feels or says.
Asking questions to go deeper.
Confirming understanding (“What I understand is that…”).
Encouraging this practice is essential in any consulting or support process. Without listening, there’s no diagnosis. Without diagnosis, there’s no solution.
Nonverbal Language and Its Influence
As mentioned earlier, more than half of the message is transmitted through the body. Key elements include:
Eye contact: builds connection, trust, and focus.
Body posture: reflects confidence, openness, or tension.
Gestures: complement or contradict verbal messages.
Facial expressions: key to conveying genuine emotions.
Distance and space: affect the comfort of communication.
Learning to read and use nonverbal language effectively can enhance your influence and leadership.
Strategies to Improve Team Communication
Encourage short but frequent meetings.
Establish clear communication rules (respecting turns, listening before responding, avoiding interruptions).
Use visual tools to align ideas (mind maps, whiteboards, diagrams).
Conduct comprehension checks (summaries of agreements, meeting notes, assigned tasks).
Promote constructive feedback.
Train in soft skills and assertive communication.
Effective communication is not a luxury or an obligation—it’s a necessity. In a hyper-connected era, the true differentiator lies in those who know how to connect with others through empathy, listening, and clarity. To achieve real change, we must be committed to developing leaders, teams, and entrepreneurs who don’t just talk, but who know how to transmit, inspire, and transform through communication.
Remember:
Having good ideas isn’t enough—you must know how to communicate them.
Speaking isn’t enough—you must know how to listen.
Intentions aren’t enough—you must create impact.
Start transforming your communication today—and watch your environment transform with it!
References
Mehrabian, A. (1971). Silent Messages (1st ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Drucker, P. F. (1990). Managing the Non-Profit Organization. HarperBusiness.
Bennis, W. G., & Nanus, B. (1985). Leaders: Strategies for Taking Charge. Harper & Row.
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