Conscious Communication = 3 “C”s + The Relevance Factor™

Success in both personal and professional realms often depends on the ability to communicate with intention, conscious of what you are saying and your audience is hearing. Those who are most successful tend to communicate with the 3 “C”s of “congruency,” “consistency,” and “clarity.” They also speak with great relevance to their audience, whether it’s one person or 10 or more.

When integrated with relevance, congruency, consistency, and clarity create a powerful foundation for effective, conscious communication that fosters trust and drives achievement.

The 3 “C”s

• Congruency refers to the alignment between a speaker’s words, actions, and values. This alignment reinforces credibility and builds trust with others. For example, leaders who advocate transparency, but practice secrecy will likely erode the confidence of their teams and undermine their own effectiveness. By contrast, a leader who consistently demonstrates honesty through both spoken word and behavior, fosters a reliable and trusting environment, which is crucial for collaborative success.

• Consistency involves maintaining a steady, reliable approach and dependable timing with communication. Individuals who practice consistent communication are perceived as dependable and reliable, which can significantly impact progress on a project, or on any activity. For example, companies that consistently convey their core values and messages as part of their branding efforts are able to build strong, recognizable identities. This steady messaging helps establish a solid reputation that sets them apart from competitors.

• Clarity ensures that messages are understood and are free from ambiguity. This involves sharing thoughts in a straightforward and understandable fashion to prevent misunderstanding and misinterpretation. For successful communication, clarity requires the use of precise language, and an awareness of the audience’s way of listening (The Relevance Factor™—see below). For example, in business settings, managers who communicate project expectations with clarity enable their teams to understand and meet objectives more effectively. This reduces errors and increases overall productivity.

When congruency, consistency, and clarity elements are present in communication, there is a sense of authenticity which is essential for building and maintaining strong connections with others. This approach fosters an environment where feedback is received more constructively and is acted upon—leading to brilliant decision making, continuous improvement, and growth.

The Relevance Factor™

Now that we understand more about Conscious Communication and its components, congruency, consistency, and clarity, another critical factor is determining whether your message truly reaches and resonates with your audience. This is The Relevance Factor™.

People tend to engage with information that speaks directly to their experiences, needs, values, interests, etc. When a message is aligned with what is most significant and relevant to the listener, it cuts through the clutter of daily distractions and competing ideas. This relevance is what creates a connection between the speaker and the listener(s), making the communication feel personalized and meaningful. Such a tailored approach increases the likelihood that a message will be heard and acted upon.

Relevance in communication requires continuous attention and adaptability. What is relevant to an audience today might not be relevant tomorrow, so successful communicators must remain attuned to changes in their audience’s environment, priorities, and expectations. Relevance is not just about content; it’s also about timing and context.

Relevance is also tied closely to the emotional and psychological states of listeners. A message that resonates emotionally is often perceived as more relevant because it connects on a deeper level. It’s this emotional relevance that drives action. Thus, relevance is the cornerstone of effective communication and brilliant decision making, serving as the bridge between a speaker’s intent and listener reception.

The Art of Conscious Communication

Relevance, combined with congruency, consistency, and clarity, create a communication style that facilitates mutual understanding and enhances personal and professional relationships. Through practice, you can make Conscious Communication—being conscious of your words, how you say them, and how relevant they are to your audience—second nature.

As a successful leader, have YOU mastered the art of Conscious Communication?

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