The author is founder of Speaking of Mental Health LLC. He is a professional speaker specializing in workplace mental health and communication. He spent his early career in broadcast engineering and technology training; he was chief engineer of KLRU(TV), frequency coordination director for the Society of Broadcast Engineers and general manager of Azcar Training Systems. “But we’re in the communication business!” We have all heard (or said) those words. Usually after something has gone wrong. What was it, exactly, that wasn’t communicated? Perhaps it was technical information. Or a revised procedure. But very often, I have found what is not communicated may be something of a personal nature. A clue to how someone is reacting to the stresses of an ever-changing work environment. Maybe things aren’t as “Fine” as we claim. And when we pretend everything is fine, our mental health pays a price. We all know it’s a stressful time to be in broadcasting. The industry, and the landscape it serves, is changing perhaps more rapidly than at any time in our careers. How do you see that affecting you? And equally important, whom are you able to talk to about that? I know about communication challenges. By the time I was four or five years old (a decade before my first job in radio), I had acquired a hearing impairment due to scar tissue from multiple infections. As a result, I was communication-challenged. I often misheard what was being said to me and around me. My replies to what I thought I heard were sometimes inappropriate. So how did the caring adults around me respond? “David, just keep your mouth shut.” They weren’t being mean. They just wanted to help me avoid embarrassment. But whatever their intent, the message stayed with me: Remain silent. That is why I sometimes tell my audiences, “I am the least likely person to be standing here speaking to you.” It took me a long time and a lot of work (not to mention surgery and hearing aids) to arrive at a point where I could speak up with confidence. Perhaps you have had your own “Keep your mouth shut” moments. I suspect most of us have, for one reason or another. Someone taught you that silence was safer than speaking. Through countless experiences across many settings, we have learned which questions, doubts, emotions, and vulnerabilities are acceptable to voice. By the time… [TheTopNews] Read More.
13 hours ago
