Does The Government Lacks Competence?

North American Government has just recently considered the art of competent communication. Basic tactics in persuasion have been around for years, yet they are not being used to their fullest potential to help turn society “green”.

Green suasion or mind control? - thestar.com

The article Green Suasion or Mind Control from The Star discusses how the government is discovering simple persuasion techniques to help convince people to go “green”. Such persuasion techniques, which are clearly outlined in introductory courses to human communication, include using information that is relevant to the recipient and the use powerful points that appeal to basic human emotion. These points are discussed in more depth in Understanding Human Communication. If first year university students are mastering these tactics why are our “highly” qualified, not to mention highly paid, government representatives only thinking of this now when for years people have been punishing our planet for crimes it did not commit?

Congressman Brian Baird makes the point that “a simple changing of wording can help save billions of dollars”. In other words sending a message that recipients can relate to will help persuade them. This is a basic strategy in communications. Why is it that we are in the middle of a climate change epidemic yet it takes money not morals to cause a change in the right direction?

Janet Swim’s thinking is in the right direction as she points out, "behavioral economists make the assumption we are rational decision makers," Swim says. "I don't think they take into account other (things) – fear, hope, guilt, pride." Any first year communications student would gladly tell you that using emotional appeal is an extremely powerful persuasion technique. Oddly enough Brian Baird is attempting to allow behavioral economists to head the "social and behavioral research program" at the U.S. Department of Energy. Ask yourself if that is a logical decision?

If we plan on pulling Earth out of the ugly car crash it is heading towards with pollution, global warming and many other ugly truths communication competence cannot be over looked.

Science on man-made climate change can be found below…

Do You Have What It Takes To Be Competent?

Grunts, groans, sighs, beautiful speeches and drunken slurs may all be forms of competent communication. Every situation is different and calls for a different type of communication style in order to be successful. Every person has the ability to improve as a competent communicator.

A competent communication, as stated in the book Understanding Human Communication in Chapter 1, “involves achieving one’s goals in a manner that, ideally maintains or enhances the relationship in which it occurs.” My interpretation of competent communication is that it involves a certain level of skill to adapt to the wide varieties of situations you account in everyday living in order to effectively live.

Communication competence also plays a large role in daily living. If you could not communicate to your family your feelings or deal with an upset friend, what kind of turmoil would exist in your life? Competent communication is very important for being able to function in society. For example, walking through the mall and being approached by a salesperson at a kiosk. The salesperson is trying to persuade you to purchase their merchandise. In this situation the salesperson must be competent in order to adapt their sales pitch to a unique individual. Also they must sound competent to be a credible communicator or else you will be turned off from buying the product. You, as the possible customer, must prevent yourself from being persuaded by a salesperson and think critically as an individual.

http://changingminds.org/

There are multiple strategies to prevent people from being persuaded. The “Changing Minds” website lists multiple strategies to prevent other people’s power of persuasion. These strategies vary widely from attacking the individual to simply saying no. At first glance verbal aggression or stonewalling the individual may seem ridiculous, and not something a competent communicator would do. On this note take a second to think about the wide variety of people and situations you may find yourself in. The more strategies you can draw from and adapt to meet your needs in that situation will help you to be a more skillful competent communicator.

Below is a video of Barack Obama using his competent communication skills in a persuasive speech.

<