Communicating before you communicate!? The summarization skills essential for communication ability💡

“I explained it properly, but it didn’t get across…”

Have you ever had an experience like that?

In reality, people listen to others much less than you might think. That is precisely why “summarization skills” are so important.

The art of communicating before you communicate, which is becoming even more valuable in the age of AI.

Why do I write a lead sentence at the beginning of a story? Why do communication breakdowns occur?

I will talk about the essence of communication ability.

Summarization skills essential for communication ability

I have always enjoyed listening to people.

Whether it was giving advice or just chatting.

Before I knew it, I was always organizing things in my head.

“In other words, this is what this person wants to convey.”

I had a habit of summarizing things that way.

Recently, AI has advanced, and now meeting minutes and long texts can be summarized with the push of a button.

That is exactly why I think this way.

What will be valuable from now on is not the summarization itself,

but where to summarize and how to convey it.

Isn't that the real power?

People surprisingly do not listen to what others say.

Of course, they don't mean any harm.

Work matters.

Family matters.

Today's schedule.

A word said yesterday.

Their minds are always busy.

So, even if it seems like they are listening to the other person,

in reality, it is not uncommon for them to only be recognizing it as sound.

What is even more troublesome is

when the speaker themselves does not know what they want to convey.

They start talking as things come to mind.

As a result, the listener gets lost.

Where is this conversation heading?

What should I be understanding?

The conversation just keeps going without them knowing.

That is why when I convey something,

I make sure to put a summary at the beginning.

"Today, I will talk about XX."

"What I want to convey in this talk is XX."

"By reading this article, you will gain XX."

State the goal first.

This allows the listener to prepare themselves.

In terms of mountain climbing,

it's like being told which mountain you are going to climb beforehand.

If you know where the summit is,

you are less likely to get lost, even on a somewhat rugged path.

Even so, not everything will be conveyed.

In fact, I assume only about 30% gets through.

That is why confirmation is necessary.

Are you with me so far?

What was it that I wanted to convey?

"How did you interpret that?"

This kind of confirmation process deepens communication.

Conversely, the less skilled someone is at communication,

"I told you before, didn't I?"

"Why don't you remember?"

they get frustrated and say things like this.

But I want you to think about it.

What you said,

and what was understood are two different things.

Even if you think you have explained it,

there are times when it hasn't reached the other person.

In fact, it is normal for your message not to get through.

Those who can stand on that premise,

will have calmer relationships with others.

I am conscious of the same thing when I write stories.

That is the reason for writing a lead introduction.

What does this story convey?

What can the reader take away from it?

I show this at the very beginning.

This is because people dislike wasting time.

Especially busy people.

Interestingly,

people can spend hours on games or smartphones,

but struggle to spend time on texts that require thinking.

Things you aren't interested in are invisible.

That is precisely why it is important to,

capture their heart at the very beginning.

Don't give them all the answers,

just get them interested.

Create a state where they are curious about what comes next.

Communication ability is,

not the ability to speak well.

It is the ability to create a state where the other person can understand.

If you

feel that

"it's just not getting through,"

I want you to try adding one sentence before you start speaking.

"There is one thing I want to convey today."

That summary

might just bring you much closer to the other person.

Because those who never stop trying to communicate

will end up being the ones who are best understood.

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