What is Conscious Communication?

What is Conscious Communication?

What is Conscious Communication, after all?
It means to be in a mindfulness state when communicating. It is the conscious action of focusing my thoughts on the present moment, which is the one of speaking; and intentionally create coherence between thought, speech, and action.

And what does that mean?
It means that I place myself in a state of maximum awareness and full attention when I speak in public. This state is a consequence of self-perception and knowledge of my expressive resources, both verbal and non-verbal. When I am aware of my expressive resources, I use them assertively and appropriately, thus creating clear and effective communication.

Can you give me an example?
Sure. When I speak to a group of people, let’s say at a lecture or a presentation, I use my voice to communicate. Knowing how to use one's voice with consciousness, that is; which is the best tone, volume, mastering the vocal resources that are most suitable for the speech. All of these aspects will favor the communication of my message. In the same way as the voice, the body also “speaks”, and the more aware I am of my expressive resources, the better I communicate.

And how do I learn Conscious Communication?
Through a process of self-observation and improvement that involves learning vocal and body awareness techniques. Mainly, realizing what unconscious behaviors are revealed when I communicate, making them conscious and then integrating them. Thus, my unconscious behaviors, once I become aware of them, become my allies in communication.

What is Conscious Communication based on?
Conscious Communication is a term also used in NVC (Non-Violent Communication), a technique developed by clinical psychologist Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, which is intended to reconnect us with our compassionate capacity through language. NVC distinguishes Observation, Feelings, Needs and Requests, using a methodology to improve human relationships.
Here at ACT, the concept of Conscious Communication is applied to Oratory and is based on 3 pillars:
1) Interpretation techniques, vocal and body awareness techniques;
2) Development of self-confidence and preparation for public presentations;
3) Meditation and breathing practices;

At ACT we use Conscious Communication to take care of the process of verbal and non-verbal communication with self-perception. As a result, we achieve the improvement of our interpersonal communication and a better performance when speaking in public.