Dear Editor,
This month marks forty years since my training in human relations and techniques that have application to the scheme of life. Whether on the job or on vacation or even in the home with family members we can all benefit from the knowledge of how to relate to each other.
My father used to say to me, “Son, some people cannot rise above the level of their understanding”. And in fact, when I survey the damming reports of the way business is conducted within City Hall, I am truly appalled. Because of technology and the internet as well as the use of cell phones, there remains no secret within the sphere of life. Debates in Parliament; ventilating an issue at the horseshoe table in City Hall; a Regent Street Store owner contending with his staff over overtime allowances; or a board of directors navigating around a vital issue, all could easily be viewed on the internet and this could be embarrassing to those involved. Conversely, it could reflect favourably on others.
For instance, the Stabroek News edition of September 14 has a caption on the front page that spells trouble: a councillor holding up two clearly visible and poignantly placed messages before the camera for the whole world to see and read.
A statement is made as the reporter narrated the story behind that picture. It’s not about what he is doing, it’s the way that he is doing it. This statement was referring to the Town Clerk. Now, Editor, if a statement of that nature was referring to yours truly, I would do an inventory and carefully analyze what was said about me.
If I find it to be false, I would let it pass, but if it has some semblance of truth, then I would deal with myself, and rethink my steps so as to maintain good relations and find a more acceptable way of doing things.
There seem to be three mischievous Misses masquerading at City Hall: one is Miss Information; another is Miss Communication; and the third is Miss Interpretation. To deal with these Misses, we need a Master for Miss Information. That is listening; a Master for Miss Communication ‒ listening. The Master for Miss Interpretation is also listening.
The episode tells me that both parties are not listening; it may be that they are listening to themselves. Listening is one of the key components in achieving good relations with your fellow human beings. Listening helps to increase learning, keeps you properly informed, helps you to make the right decision, makes you alert, and helps to restore confidence in others.
Listening brings people closer to one another. Listening enhances relationships. Listening opens up opportunities for everyone and brings understanding; it takes people away from being selfish. Listening is one sure way of following a divine principle and that is giving. Yes, giving of yourself. The more you give the more you will receive. Some people in this 21st century are keener about learning how to work with a computer or a cell phone, than learning how to live with their colleagues.
Others would seek knowledge in the scientific world we live in, exploring and discovering the stars, moon and the planets, rather than discovering their own world of relationships and the way we embrace each other.
This year of our Jubilee should be spent edifying ourselves in the art of communicating; preparing our minds to understand information and equipping ourselves to rightly interpret what was said.
Yours faithfully,
Apostle Vanrick Beresford
