Fundamentally, positive communication entails human interactions that espouse positive emotions, empathy, and respect for human cultures. In other words, positive communication is not the absence of hostile verbal and nonverbal communication but the presence of enhancing, positive, and facilitative talk that aims to generate social and psychological wellness (Martin & Nakayama, 2021). It is an essential type of communication that helps cultivate trust and collaboration in a globalized world where people from various backgrounds meet and interact at places of work and public spaces. Proverbs 12: 18 says, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” It shows that negative communication can lead to undesirable outcomes that impact interpersonal relations and peaceful coexistence. Thus, communicating positively is a vital skill that every person should possess to initiate and sustain interpersonal relationships that help one to develop personally and professionally.
Essential traits characterize positive communication. First, it is characterized by empathetic listening, which entails listening openly and fully to a person, listening through words, avoiding interruption when speaking, and using positive words to reflect and respond. When engaging in a communication process, showing empathy makes the other person feel valued and appreciated, explaining why empathy is essential, especially when the two individuals come from different cultural and social backgrounds (Martin & Nakayama, 2021). The scriptures remind Christians about showing empathy in 1 Peter 3:8, “All of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” The scriptures stress the importance of compassion, sympathy, tenderness, and humility, which should be exhibited during communication. Showing compassion and empathy helps foster peaceful coexistence making communities and societies safer for all individuals, regardless of their social and cultural backgrounds.
Positive communication is characterized by positive nonverbal communication. This constitutes the presence of positive, enhancing, and facilitative gestures that indicate commitment, interest, and excitement. Though nonverbal communication varies from place to place, a communicator must show positive gestures, such as head nodding, maintaining eye contact, open body positioning, close distance, speech fluidity, and relaxed laughter. Studies show that positive nonverbal communication is vital in facilitating a goal-oriented communication process because it shows the parties are interested in keeping it going (Elsevier, 2019). It motivates the parties to continue engaging in a communication process. This aligns with the scriptures in Colossians 3:8, “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” All these negative traits show negative verbal and nonverbal communication, which interfere with the smooth flow of communication.
Positive communication espouses active listening. The scriptures in Proverbs 18:2 state, “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” The scriptures stress the importance of listening openly and actively to others to hear and understand their point of view. As stated, active listening is a crucial component of a positive communication process where the parties actively listen to each other. In a social context, active listening helps solve conflicts as the conflicting parties can each tell their side, enabling them to find and solve the root cause of a problem (Bubb & Jones, 2020). More so, studies have demonstrated that active listening could help individuals understand and appreciate diversity, as they will learn important information about people from diverse cultural and social backgrounds (Bubb & Jones, 2020). It explains why individuals and groups require open discussions and talks about issues affecting minorities to make the broader society learn about them and their issues.
Further, positive communication espouses honesty and transparency. When communicating, a person should communicate not only positively but also honestly, which helps depict respect for humans and cultures. Even when a person is required to deliver bad news, they should deliver them in a friendly and respectful way. A communicator must avoid dishonesty in all situations and contexts. The scriptures in 2 Timothy 2:16 says, “Avoid godless chatter because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” The scriptures emphasize the need for positive human values, such as honesty, integrity, and transparency, during a communication process. Also, they warn that a person who engages in negative traits is likely to continue exhibiting the behavior, which significantly impacts the way they interact and communicate. Every person is responsible for depicting positive human values, which fosters harmonious living and peaceful coexistence.
In essence, positive communication is vital in all human contexts. All individuals should depict human values, show positive nonverbal communication, listen actively, and commit to a communication process. Humans want to feel valued and appreciated, which can be done during an interaction. A communicator and a listener should exhibit positive traits that make the other party or parties feel valued. This aligns with the scriptures, which have stressed the importance of showing positive traits and respect for human values and cultures. They warn about negative communication, which results in deteriorating human relationships.
References
Bubb, S., & Jones, M.-A. (2020). Learning from the COVID-19 home-schooling experience: Listening to pupils, parents/carers and teachers. Improving Schools, 23(3), 209–222.
Elsevier. (2019). Effective Communication for Health Professionals. New York, NY: Elsevier.
English Standard Version Bible. (2001).
Martin, J., & Nakayama, T. (2021). Intercultural Communication in Contexts (8th ed). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
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