Enforced silence reinforces communication!

This was me a few weeks ago. I couldn’t speak, swallow or move. As a professional communicator (and singer) being mute was unsettling to say the least. By way of charades skills I managed to communicate what was happening and was hooked up to IV antibiotics, steroids and morphine (marvellous stuff). But this isn’t a sympathy post, I’m recovered. It is an observation on communication (plus an apology and a thank you – so stay with me).

The observation(s): firstly trying to reassure my worried little girl without being able to speak reminded me how much we can communicate without words. Eye contact, sound, body language, gestures, touch. All directed, personal, considered and effective. 

Later, stuck in hospital with no voice, no energy to read and no desire to doom‑scroll, I was covert people‑watching. Having trained in nonverbal communication and body language (it’s not just Rachel Duffy), it’s fascinating how much people can intentionally say and unintentionally give away, whilst not uttering a word. I observed a couple, each glued to their devices, barely listening to each other. Reactions without connection. Words without attention. I could tell what each was thinking and feeling, but they couldn’t. I also overheard friends complaining that another friend continually misinterpreted their TikTok messages. Phone calls are medieval and conversation is dead apparently, but ill-considered emails and drive-by DMs don’t just cause crossed wires, they create avoidable crises. 

Somewhere along the way, we swapped eye contact for read receipts and conversation for something we tap out with our thumbs whilst doing something else. We skim, scroll and stare at screens, which has been 'brilliantly' exploited by advertisers. But real influence and genuine trust still comes from authentic human connection. From listening first and then from communication that feels like it was crafted for someone by someone (rather than AI) and not broadcast at everyone.  Good PR isn’t just publicity, it’s about building relationships with meaning. Thoughtful content that conveys tone and intent land far better than generalised messages flung at anyone and everyone. So despite what some industry ‘Sirs’ are saying - PR is not dead, it just takes effort and a bit of actual skill! 

So, apologies to my lovely clients for the cancelled meetings and delayed replies. Normal service has resumed. 

Thank you to the NHS for the care, compassion and ice‑pops. I thank my lucky stars we have you. 

And finally: 

·      Please support the NHS - register as an organ donor, give blood etc. 

·      Look people in the eye when speaking, but not in an intense, weird, serial‑killer way.

·      Share how would you tell a doctor “I’m allergic to tree nuts but not peanuts” through the medium of

mime?

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