Communication can be described as an interactive exchange between two or more people, endowed with intentionality and a certain level of awareness, in which meanings are shared on the basis of symbolic and conventional systems, according to the culture of reference. Communication is a constitutive dimension of the social, cognitive, cultural and relational aspects of a person.
The most in-depth studies on communication were carried out by Watzlawick et al. (1967) in Palo Alto. The authors elaborated a model of “circular communication” theorizing that it is impossible to extrapolate the person from the context of relationships in which he or she is inserted. Everyone lives within networks of relationships that influence them and in turn influence the others with whom they come into contact. Communication is therefore a circular process that starts from one subject, reaches another and returns to the starting subject, in a circular process that involves feedback.
The concept of circular communication finds relevance in the context of the CQ: Communication Quotient™, that recognizes the interdependent nature of EQ and IQ within the communication process. Circular communication highlights that effective communication extends beyond the mere transmission of information and involves an understanding of emotions, thoughts and relational dynamics. By acknowledging the circularity of communication, the CQ: Communication Quotient™ Integrated Model emphasizes the reciprocal influence between emotional and intellectual dimensions during the process of information exchange.
In 1967 Watzlawick published the “Pragmatic of human communication” in which he postulated the axioms of communication, these were described as self-evident truths, i.e. principles that do not require further demonstrations.
The axioms are the following:
“It is impossible not to communicate”: Even when words are not used, behaviors can transmit messages, even silence is valued as a message.
“Every communication has a content and a relationship aspect, so that the second one classifies the first and is therefore meta-communication”. The content of the message is not sufficient for understanding it, for the message to be clear it must be accompanied by a specific intonation, facial expression, etc. The information to be transmitted is defined as the content, while the way it is communicated is the meta-content.
“The nature of communication depends on the punctuation of the communication sequences between communicators”. A clear communication is a communication with a shared punctuation, with a clear beginning and an agreement between the messages to be considered premises and those to be considered conclusions, between causes and effects, between before and after.
“Human beings communicate both digitally and analogically”. The first is verbal language, the second is non-verbal language. Both are activated during the communicative act and are fundamental to correctly convey the message.
“Communicative exchanges are symmetrical or complementary, depending on whether they are based on equality or difference”. The interlocutors can occupy a different hierarchical place: symmetrical communications occur between people of equal rank (e.g. between friends, classmates, colleagues) while asymmetrical communications occur between people who are not on the same level with regards to power or authority.
The axioms of communication (Watzlawick, 1967) have played a significant role in informing the development of the CQ: Communication Quotient™ Integrated Model of Communication with its ecosystem of CQ: Communication Quotient™ skills, and the subsequent development of the CQ: Is the New IQ training courses.
The CQ: Communication Quotient™ Integrated Model acknowledges the multifaceted nature of communication and the need to consider both verbal and non verbal aspects to bridge between EQ and IQ, incorporating a holistic understanding of the communication process. The model also takes into consideration the importance of not only the content of the message, but also the way it is communicated, including intonation, facial expressions and other non verbal cues, and the relationship aspects of communication, recognizing that effective communication involves not only the transmission of information, but also the interpretation of emotions, intentions, and relational dynamics (metacommunication). Furthermore, the CQ: Communication Quotient™ Integrated Model recognizes that both analogical and digital modalities contribute to conveying the message accurately.
Finally, the CQ: Communication Quotient™ Integrated Model recognizes that communication can occur within symmetrical or asymmetrical relationships and takes into account these dynamics and acknowledges that effective communication requires adaptability and understanding within both symmetrical and asymetrical contexts.
By leveraging a multimedia modality in the CQ: The New IQ courses development, the Boxplay team could effectively convey the various nuances of the communication axioms to learners. Incorporating different media formats such as videos, GIFs and visual aids, allowed for demonstrations showcasing metacommunication aspects. to Palo Alto school’s authors, communication is to be understood as an exchange of information capable of producing a change, a circular interactive process in which the behavior of the effector influences and is influenced by the behavior of the recipient in a perspective of circular causality. Every behavior is therefore caused and causative, simultaneously stimulus, response and reinforcement.
According to this approach, the nature of a relationship depends on the punctuation of the communication sequences (the cause-effect order attributed to them). Arbitrarily assuming one’s own behavior as cause or effect can generate conflicts with the other person.During the communication processes, the recipient can either confirm the other person’s message (thus gratifying the sender), reject it (redefining the relationship), disown it (denying the other person the identity of the issuer of the definition) or disqualify it (invalidating the content of the message by e.g. contradicting)
The interactive process of communication will reflect the relationship between the communicators as follows:A symmetrical relationship results in communication exchanges based on equality. For example, partners will discuss on an equal footing. On the contrary, a complementary relationship will result in communicative exchanges based on differences e.g. a parent-child relationship, where one partner assumes the superior position (advises, directs, criticises) and the other the inferior one (asks, obeys, accepts).
The alternation of these modalities denotes a healthy relationship because it entails flexibility, whereas if one of them constitutes the only mode of interaction the relationship could become pathogenic.
Symmetrical communication favours competitiveness but can hesitate in what is called a “symmetrical escalation” of struggle for power; while the complementary one, if the roles are crystallized and immutable, can lead one person to stifle the personality of the other, therefore becoming emotionally and intellectually dependent.
In the context of the CQ: Communication Quotient™ Skills ecosystem within the CQ: Communication Quotient™ Integrated Model of Communication, understanding the interactive nature of communication and the influence of relationship dynamics is crucial. Active Listening, Negotiation and Critical Thinking are integral components of effective communication. The relevance of relationship dynamics within the CQ: Communication Quotient™ skills becomes evident when considering the development of the different types of listeners and negotiators. Competitive listeners and negotiators prioritize their own interests and seek to maximize their gains, often engaging in symmetrical communication characterized by competitiveness. This approach can lead to a symmetrical escalation of power and struggles, hindering effective communication and collaborative problem solving.
Understanding relationship dynamics is crucial for fostering effective communication within the CQ: Communication Quotient™ Integrated Model. By recognizing the importance of Active Listening, Negotiation, Critical Thinking and overall communication in different contexts, individuals can adapt their approach to fit the specific need of the situations. This adaptability and flexibility promotes healthier relationship dynamics and improves the overall communication outcomes.
