CONTEXT.

I’ve been thinking a lot about context lately. Known by many names*, this foundational element of communication must be understood and respected if we are to ensure the maximum impact of our messages. This is especially crucial when we consider that we are entrusted with the message of God’s saving love for humanity.

*(Point of view, perspective, semantic background, schema, life experience, background knowledge, world view, demographic, belief system, place-in-the-world, frame of reference…)

Consider context in these examples: A great deal on new work boots probably won’t be too exciting to a concert pianist. An appeal for contributions for a new concert hall isn’t going to hit home with the single mother of 5 children. A blind man probably won’t care if his colors are “spring” or “autumn.”

Okay, we get it. In fact, we already knew it. But let’s revisit this concept just for fun and for a refresher. Consider this long list of contextual issues and the life experience they bring to bear on communication:

o age

o gender

o ethnicity

o marital status

o primary language

o social standing

o birth order

o religion

o education

o literacy

o sophistication

o financial standing

o family structure and history

o cultural orientation

o sexual orientation

o disabilities

o level of intelligence

o feelings about the person with whom we’re communicating (trusts, distrusts, likes, dislikes, suspicious of, loves, etc.)

o relationship to the “communicator” (peer, family member, employee, employer, friend, opponent, stranger)

o type of message (conversation, question, answer, encouragement, criticism, instruction, humor, threat, advisement, good news, bad news, persuasive, controlling, manipulative, honest, dishonest)

o setting – your turf or theirs? Neutral ground? Safe? Comfortable?

o physical comfort level and/or health issues

o active or passive audience? (Are they live & in-person, or is the message recorded, electronic, written, signage, informational print [signup sheet, rules, phone book, etc.])

Here’s the point: When you communicate, are you coming from a similar or dissimilar contextual background as your audience? You can pretty much count on the fact that it’s dissimilar. As such, how are you tailoring your language, approach, medium, and message so that it most closely fits the context of your receiver? Or for that matter, how are you adjusting your receptive language such that you understand the messages that others are sending to you, from their differing backgrounds?

For the next few days, be self-monitoring and try to identify the contextual differences between yourself and the people you communicate with. Think of how they think. Put yourself in their place, and consider: Am I understanding/speaking their “context” right now?

When you’ve done this, please share your experiences with the rest of us. I think it will be very inspiring.

Consider 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV):

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

One side note: Don’t try to BE the other person. Retain your own identity in your messages – God has worked long and hard to make you who you are, and you are his living letter. I love this quote from John Eldridge’s book, Wild at Heart: “Let them feel the full weight of who you are, and let them deal with it.”

Ultimately, doesn’t it all boil down to a sense of balance?

God bless you, friends. Have the best day you’ve had all year!

In Him,

Dave

P.S. Here’s another good one, from Lightspeed Venture Partners website:

Posted by Jeremy Liew on his blog

Viruoso Busker

A story in Sunday’s Washington Post tells what happens when Joshua Bell, one of the world’s finest violinists, plays his $3.5m Stradivari violin in a subway station in downtown Washington DC during the morning commute, looking like an ordinary busker.

He is not exactly appreciated. In forty five minutes he receives 27 donations totaling $32.17. Of 1070 passers by, exactly seven stop to listen. This is a guy who fills concert halls where the cheap seats are $100.

Context matters. People didn’t know what to expect, so they were not cognitively prepared to recognize the greatness of the performance.