Today marks World Hello Day, which recognises the importance of communication in all aspects of our lives. A surprising commemoration at first glance, however the history behind the celebration of this day dates back over 40 years.
The History of World Hello Day
World Hello Day was first created in 1973 in order to show people, that conflicts can and should be resolved through communication, and not violence. The idea is that clear, honest communication breed’s peace.
In the 1970s, the conflict between Egypt and Israel was quite severe, and many people began to fear yet another huge war would break out. World Hello Day was created as a direct response to the Yom Kippur War that finished in October of 1973, during which thousands of both soldiers and innocent civilians were killed.
The peace discussion at the end of the war was the first time that Arab and Israeli officials met for direct public discussion in 25 years. The concept of World Hello Day was created by Brian McCormack, a Ph.D. Graduate of Arizona State University, and Michael McCormack, a graduate of Harvard.
Over the last 42 years since its creation, World Hello Day has been celebrated in 180 countries. It is an occasion that shows it possible for anyone in the world, individual, organisation or government, to contribute to the process of creating peace through the effective, and most importantly, honest use of communications.
Good Leaders, Good Communicators
The importance of communication is something we work with many individuals and companies from around the world on.
Regardless of whether you’re talking about politics, business, sports or the military, the best leaders are always first-rate communicators. Their values are clear and solid and promoted by not only what they say but also how they communicate.
So how to make your communications more effective?
- One of the key considerations is to understand that it is a two-way process. Listening is a vital part of the process, as important as what you are saying.
- Take your communications seriously – it is too important to rush, so preparation and planning are the key to getting it right.
- Think carefully about your audience – what are their priorities, what are they thinking and what are their needs? How does what you have to offer help them? If necessary take advice and ask for feedback to ensure your message is truly relevant.
- Own it – sounding like a talking press release is a recipe for being ignored. Think about how you can out yourself into your communication to give that personal touch.
- Make sure your are truly consistent – your actions and behaviours have to be consistent with your message.
- Connecting with your message – above all else, you need to truly believe in what you are saying and the reasons why you are saying it. If you don’t know why you are communicating, then don’t!
So get out there and through effective, honest communication use your skills to make a difference to the world around you.