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On the Same Channel
A biker and a trucker are driving down the road. No, seriously. This is not an off-color joke. Both the biker and trucker have CB radios tuned to Channel 19. Both can clearly send and receive messages to each other because they are on the same radio frequency despite their disparate vehicles and radio manufacturers.
Each of us has our own channel through which we best receive and internalize messages. In various contexts these channels are referred to as learning styles, sensory receptors, neurolinguistic programming, or multiple intelligences. To communicate more clearly, determine the primary channel – visual (sight; eyes), auditory (sound; ears), or kinesthetic (touch; motion) – through which your message receiver processes messages. You can then transmit your message on that same channel to ensure the best reception.
Pay attention to the words a person uses to find their clearest channel. While the following examples are not hard-and-fast rules, they serve as clues to a person’s primary mode of receiving and processing messages. Frequent use of terms such as “I see” and “I get the picture” indicate a person is likely a visual receiver. “I’m all ears” and “That sounds like a plan” suggest auditory reception while “I need to get a feel for that” and “I grasp the situation” typically come from kinesthetic receivers.
Once you learn the other person’s primary channel, send your message on the same channel. “Let me show you” works best for visual; “I’ll tell you this” works best for auditory; and “Wrap your arms around this idea” hits home for kinesthetic receivers.
Tune into others’ channels and you’ll find they tune into your messages more clearly.
Bonus gifts: Two resources to learn more about this topic are:
- A short self-assessment.
- E-Mail Sylvia (link to the left) with “iNFO_NOTE Request - Sensory Channels” in the subject line for a FREE .pdf handout.
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