COMMUNICATION (தகவல் தொடர்பு)

Impact of Harsh words ( கடுமையான சொற்களின் தாக்கம்)

The most important lesson to be learnt and strictly followed by all levels of executives at all times is to avoid even a single harsh word in any circumstance. Any unparliamentary words uttered in a fit of anger or intended sarcasm hurt the affected and create enmity that may affect the relationship for life.Great friendship gets destroyed on account of indiscretion in speech. In business environment, diplomacy is of paramount importance, as stakes are very high and every word is scrutinized and remembered for ever. No good businessman would utter wounding words even under deliberate provocation. It is a fantastic analogy by the sage brought out in the following Kural..  

தீயினாற் சுட்டபுண் உள்ளாறும் ஆறாதே
நாவினாற் சுட்ட வடு (129)

Theeyinaar Sutta Pun Ullaarum Aaraathe
Naavinaar Sutta Vadu.

 தீப்புண் கூட நாளடைவில் ஆறிவிடும் ஆனால் கடும்          
 சொற்களின் வடுவோ என்றுமே ஆறாது.
     

 Even an wound caused by fire will heal over a period of time

 while the scar caused by offending words will never disappear.

Negotiation skill (பேச்சுவார்த்தை திறன்)

Though the Kural given below address ambassador or minister of a king, the advice is very much relevant even now for every one engaged in any type of business. There is a constant demand for interaction within and outside the company by everyone from top to bottom. Persons working in marketing, sales, purchase, contract management, legal and personnel departments  to name a few have to interact with other company officials, Customers, contractors or Government agency day in and day out. There is also a need for interaction between labour and management on many important issues.

Hence, this advice holds good for one and all at all times. No one likes a long winded speech, harsh words, sarcasm or criticism. On the other hand, one can win the heart with a tinge of humour which can be a great relief in  tense situation. The following couplet highlights this message.

தொகச்சொல்லித் தூவாத நீக்கி நகச்சொல்லி
நன்றி பயப்பதாம் தூது. (685)

Thogachcholli Thoovaatha Neekki Nagachcholli
Nandri Payappatham Thoothu.

With brivity in  speech, avoiding harsh words, interlaced  with   
humour,bringing the best outcome is  the virtue of an ambassador..

அளவாக பேசி , கடுஞ் சொற்களைத் தவிர்த்து, இழையோடும் நகைச்சுவையும்  கலந்து , அதன் விளைவாக நலனைக் கொண்டு வருபவரே தூதுவர்.

Effective Speaking and good Listening  (பயனுள்ள பேச்சும் உன்னிப்பாக  கேட்பதும்)

Intellectuals convey in simple terms even complicated things so as to enable listeners to understand the subject. They also grasp subtle meanings and nuances couched in the words of others through focussed listening.

One must have mastery over the subject, to be able to convey it in simple terms. It should help listeners to comprehend what they hear with ease. People who do not have firm grip on the subject get confused and confuse others also with their talk. Same individual by his or her focused and concentrated listening, understand subtle messages couched in other’s talk immediately. To accomplish this, one has to be a good listener too.

In this ‘kural”, the Sage lays down basic rules to get best out of any meeting or conversation. He exhorts one to convey ides in simple words and listen carefully to get a firm grip on the message ingrained in other’s talk. Bombastic words and complicated sentences though may look impressive will not serve the purpose as people instead of getting the message, tend to loose track, when they listen to confused and complicated speech. This is very important for all executives involved in many important meetings like contract negotiation, Discussions with customers, fellow executives, union leaders etc. Most successful managers either inherently possess or cultivate the above trait.     

 எண்பொருளவாகச் செலச் சொல்லித்தான் பிறர்வாய்
 நுண்பொருள் காண்ப தறிவு. (424)

 Enpporulavaagach Selach Chollithaan Pirarvaai
 Nunporul Kaanpa Tharivu

அறிவு,என்பது, கேட்பவர்கள் நன்கு புரிந்து கொள்ளும் விதம் சொல்வதை எளிதாக கூறுவதும், மற்றவர்கள் பேச்சை உன்னிப்பாக கவனித்து, அதில் பொதிந்திருக்கும் நுணுக்கமான பொருளை புரிந்துகொள்ளும் ஆற்றலுமே ஆகும்.

Brilliance is to express even profound thoughts in simple term so as to make listeners understand and by focussed listening, understand the subtleties of the speech delivered by others.