KEEP IT SIMPLE (KIS)

The acronym KIS has gained so much popularity over the years with a specific emphasis on simplicity. Life has a way of bringing out the best in us through various circumstances we are confronted with by the day. It is important to weigh the outcome of results over time and decide which pays off. You cannot be wrong by keeping it simple.  “IT” as it will be used in this episode, will be for any circumstance in the context of its meaning.

In this episode, we would be looking at the advantages of keeping it simple in communication.

Communication is a strong tool for the survival of life; it is the beginning and the end of life. Communication, whether written or verbal is guided by principles and these principles are better communicated in their simple forms to convey appropriate meaning in the context in which the conveyer of the message is trying to pass across. Distortion in communication is most times associated with the ambiguous use of any language be it English, French, Igbo, Efik, Spanish etc.

 Let us understand that the tool to convey the meaning of thoughts is better understood using simple terms.

The main objective of any speaker should be to be understood in the right context of the message that he or she is communicating, and this confines us to the KIS principle. The principle of KIS is guided by using simple words to convey meaning. It will interest you to know that in communication, the use of ambiguous or complex words reduces the chances of being understood thereby making the effort of that communication unfruitful.

This write-up is not disregarding the use of ambiguous or complex words as it is useful in teaching especially to increase the personal grammar bank of any individual. The interest of KIS is to ensure that no information is lost in the cause of conveying a message or messages. The good thing about keeping it simple is that it keeps your audience focused on you and reduces “mind wandering” during any communication whether official or unofficial. The important thing is the ability to convey a message in the best form so that it will be understood without the need for a third party to interpret it. The use of words is not limited to any creed or status. KIS is applicable globally because it speaks to the key objective of communication i.e. being understood at the end of any form of communication.

There are 2 instruments to be considered in communication, the convener of the message and the receiver of the message. While the convener is driving his points or thoughts seeking to be understood, the receiver is willing to understand the message which is dependent on the style of communication. This invariably means that there is a common interest which is “understanding”. The moral of this nugget is to help improve upon effective communication style by staying in line with the context of a message by keeping it simple (KIS).

Let us attempt the principle of KIS in order area of life and see the paradigm shift into having PEACE.

Stay tuned.

M.A.