Summer has finally wafted its way through Chicago and with it the desire to reconnect with others who have been held hostage by hibernation. After exhausting traditional contacts, my thoughts extend to the Tweetersphere where not only can you reach out and touch someone; but you can do so in the most impersonal, truncated, and (if you so choose) banal of ways. Amazingly many of these ways provide a window into the thoughts of others. Occasionally razor-sharp comments appear reflecting the wit and literacy of the writer. Often, many of my favorite tweets come from political satirist John Fugelsang.
The same skills that make Fugelsang a brilliant comedian also make him an exceptional communicator. Knowingly or unknowingly John understands the most important rules of effective communication.
Rule #1: There are three levels of verbal interaction. Talk about things, and you lumber through base thoughts with fellow knuckle-draggers. Talk about people, and you share information with more erect primates. Talk about ideas, and you ponder with others whose thoughts soar through the clouds.
Rule #2: Engage your head and your heart before opening your mouth. Convictions stem from passion, and passion reflects genuineness.
Rule #3: Master your mother tongue and remember how to speak and write effectively. In other words be literate; and if you aren’t, work on it. It’s an attainable goal in a first world country.
Whether on stage, his blog, http://www.blog.johnfugelsang.com/?page_id=23, or Twitter, Fugelsang dwells at a lofty level of communication and does so eloquently and with zest. Even when John’s ripping on those of opposing political viewpoints, he’s equally logical and thought provoking in his seriousness and in his humor.
