Why the Pandemic Has Made Us Better Communicators

There’s no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we communicate. Perhaps “change” is not the best choice of words. Rather than saying that we have turned into different communication-style beings, it would be more fitting to say we’re adapting our communication skills to the new situation. If there’s one thing we have improved during these challenging times, it’s our interpersonal skills, starting with communication. In fact, some of the nonverbal skills we have acquired will help us not only communicate more efficiently in the future, but will also teach us to be better beings. How come? Let’s consider the chief alterations. We Have Suddenly Rediscovered Empathy Now that we are all living the same fears and actually talking about that, we have rediscovered empathy. Because of that, communication is taking huge leaps forward. Since we cannot express ourselves in the ways we are used to, we are turning to different nonverbal communication patterns and online hangouts. And because we know we’re all in the same boat, we’re more open to the ideas we would normally disregard instantaneously. Will we keep to the habit after the pandemic has passed? Online Communication Has Reached New Heights Online meetups have reached a whole new level. Whatever the occasion, we cannot meet in person, especially if the group is large, so we have turned to creativity to get us going through the difficult times. Birthday parties, weekend hangouts, business meetings, family reunions, etc. have all turned virtual. And while there is an obvious lack of human contact in this pattern, there is also a more obvious creativity surge. Has your gramps learned to use Zoom? Would that have happened if the pandemic hadn’t struck? Would be more conscious of high-quality data and technology? Bottom line, even the people who would normally shun technology have now learned that it’s not that bad at all. You can be certain that this new-found knowledge will play its part in the post-pandemic future, too. Zen Communication Attending a birthday party in your pajamas from your backyard? It sounds like a comedy stunt, but such situations have actually been happening a lot during the past couple of months. This is good news for people who don’t like crowds but also need to communicate (don’t we all?) and also for those who feel overwhelmed (usually because of work or family matters). In short, it’s beneficial for the majority of people! Plus, we can even take the time to find better ways to personalize our emails and communicate in a way that establishes a better relationship. Now, attending pretty much any kind of meeting online has become more relaxed and - we may confidently add - on your own terms. You own the situation. You can wear whatever you want, drink whatever you want, and leave whenever you feel like it. These factors contribute to a completely different atmosphere where people are more relaxed and, by extension, more open and even more passionate about the things that really matter. But Is Technology Making Us Estranged? Yes, but only if we don’t know our limits. Technology should be beneficial not detrimental, because it is supposed to help us live more convenient lives. If we are glued to the screens all day long, it certainly isn’t good because in the end, we will forget how to communicate with other living beings. But if we use it on our terms, we can actually enhance our communication skills. Why? Because we can connect with people we would normally not be able to meet, e.g., people living abroad. As is always the case, the key lies in moderation. Use technology the way it helps you operate more efficiently, and leave it be when you’re enjoying your private time. New Etiquette Is Here to Stay The new nonverbal signs and techniques we have developed during the pandemic may well become the norm. After all, some of the things we’ve developed are good news. The pandemic has taught us so much about ourselves, which is funny, considering. People are social beings and even under the direst of circumstances, they will find a way to keep communicating, whether it be online meetings, virtual learning or a plethora of other things. This has ultimately led us to new discoveries both in terms of psychology and interpersonal skills. We are still keeping in touch with important people. We are still attending parties (in a different form). We are still ourselves - just a better version.