Effective communications…

17th century business tips from Matthew Henry.

Reading from Ezekiel Chapter 3 this morning with my friend Matthew Henry, I discovered a couple of business tips. In these verses Ezekiel is God’s messenger to a captive people.

Henry makes excellent points on effective communications.

Ezekiel was effective because he identified with those to whom he was speaking. Henry says Ezekiel’s listeners “were fellow-sufferers, and had lately been fellow-travelers, in very melancholy circumstances.” Ezekiel identified with his audience.

Henry also points out that Ezekiel and the people he was speaking to even “had often mingled their tears.” The result, their affections were “knit to each other.” They were close and were attentive to Ezekiel’s words.

I’m not advocating crying with your workmates, and you may not be captives but try to find ways to identify with and get to know those to whom you are speaking.

If it worked for the nation of Israel in captivity, it may l also be effective in your workplace and sales presentations.