02/09/2021
In response to the communication question:
Wise women talk because we have something to say; bamboozles because they have to say something.
For the better part of every day, we are communicating to and with others. Whether it’s the speech you deliver in the boardroom, the level of attention you give your family when they are talking to you, or the look that you give to your pet, it all means something.
When I say the word, “communication,” what do you think of? Lots of people will think of the spoken word. People who are hearing impaired may well think of sign language. People who are visually impaired, like my nephew Peter, may think of Braille as well as sounds.
Communication methods include person-to-person, telephone/mobile, e-mail, fax, Facetime, social media, radio, public presentation, television broadcast, and many more!
On the surface, communication seems simple, doesn’t it? I talk, you listen. You send me an e-mail or text; I read it and reply. President Lampe appears on a video or TV, we watch or listen to him. However, to speak to some of our members, I require an Inuktitut translation, perhaps a person with sign language and/or Braille.
I will also have to consider our members location, definable by time and by place. I.e. different time zones – our members are spread across our country. For example: Danny works on the east coast, while Mr. Igloliote works on the west coast and I am in Ottawa. In this case, maybe an email will probably work better – depending on the urgency of the issue, etc. I aim to spend at least 90% of your time listening and less than 10% of your time talking. I will respond appropriately and in a timely fashion to your questions, emails, texts, and phone calls, etc.
Traditional communication often focuses on what is wrong and how we can fix it. I will also practice appreciative inquiry as it focuses on what is right and how we can make it better. I have found this to be refreshing, energizing way of approaching problems and uplifting our people.
Thank you Mary and Kim, communication is very valuable to an Ordinary Member representing the Constituency of Canada.