"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

- Maya Angelou, full quote at the end of this post.

I once shared this quote with Prof. Radhika in an e-mail about how I feel how this quote truly reflects the essence of communication in my life. Whatever mistakes we might make in our communication and whatever wrongdoings that are done in the past will all fade away. Yes, some of those more severe wrongdoings will never be forgotten but the minor ones, they will be forgotten. What will be left behind is the feeling that you give to another person from that incident. And that, is what people will remember.

I am sure that most of you might not be able to pinpoint an incident or two to illustrate how a person is being selfish, arrogant or absent-minded. However, you will be able to form an impression or an opinion of what kind of person he is. That is the power of communication. Words that you say will be forgotten but its impact is everlasting. What I take away from this course, the essence of it, is to always think twice before communicating. It has to be a conscious effort made.

I remember how Prof Radhika always mention about using pauses in a presentation, how each gesture must be used appropriately and so on. The point she was driving across, I believe, is that a good communicator is one who deliberates his every moves and think before his every word and action. Each body or hand movement, the tone, the facial expression, the words used and the pauses, ALL of them constitute a message and the combination of them made up a message. Such is the rich and vibrant nature of communication.

It does not stop here. Life is not about being a ruler and having everyone listened to you. Life is one that everyone has their own battles to fight. Understanding another person's position is crucial in a good communication. It is only when you truly understand another person's position then you can make the right choice in communicating appropriately, i.e. calibrate the relevant technical details and craft your message appropriately (e.g. tone, volume etc).

Having said that, once you have conveyed a point, an equally crucial point is to receive feedback. Always be open to what others have to say on your comments. Some of them may be hurtful, but certainly not fatal. There are always things that can kill more than words do. Take note of your counterpart's non-verbals as many people may struggle silently and be left unnoticed. It is precisely what being a nice person would mean - to identify this people and assist them. Be sensitive, take their cues and react appropriately.

While I may seem to assert many imperatives, we are all learners in this grand communication scheme. Never is anyone perfect but we are all striving towards it. This is my last post, and I am glad to have walked this journey with my wonderful classmates and the fabulous professor, Prof Radhika. I wish everyone a good life ahead, a successful career and all the best.

Thank you.

“I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

 - Maya Angelou