Struggling with Communication? Brenden Kumarasamy Reveals Key to Success and How Women, Men, and Ethnic Groups Do It Differently!

In this episode of Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal is joined by Brenden Kumarasamy, a communications coach and founder of MasterTalk, to discuss the importance of communication in healthcare. Brenden shares his insights on how effective communication can transform patient relationships and lead to better healthcare outcomes. From public speaking to interpersonal communication, he offers actionable strategies for healthcare providers to communicate with their patients, colleagues, and teams more effectively. Discover practical tools like the random word exercise and peer-to-peer coaching to boost your communication skills and enhance patient care.

 

Key Timestamps:

• (00:35) Dr. Meenal introduces the importance of communication in healthcare, highlighting how poor communication can affect patient outcomes.
• (02:06) Brenden discusses how communication is a problem across generations and how technology, like dating apps, has influenced communication habits.
• (03:03) The impact of poor communication practice: Brenden emphasizes that if communication is not practiced, it won’t improve, affecting both personal and professional relationships.
• (04:05) Brenden talks about the importance of communication in healthcare and how it will be one of the few skills unaffected by AI advancements.
• (05:43) The "Buyer's Presentation" exercise: Brenden explains how parents can teach children communication by having them present a case for something they want.
• (06:31) Brenden addresses the challenges healthcare providers face in communication, citing burnout, stress, and the emotional toll of delivering bad news.
• (09:46) Practical communication exercises: Brenden introduces the "Random Word Exercise" and "Question Drills" as strategies to improve communication in healthcare settings.
• (13:14) Gender differences in communication: Brenden explores how men and women communicate differently, focusing on directness, vocal tonality, and how it impacts professional environments.
• (17:02) Cultural differences in communication: Brenden compares direct communication in Western cultures versus indirect communication in Asian cultures.
• (20:03) The importance of pacing in communication, particularly in healthcare, where clarity and understanding are crucial. Brenden offers advice for improving communication speed and clarity with patients.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Practice is Essential for Communication: Communication, like any skill, requires practice. Healthcare providers should continually work on their communication skills to improve interactions with patients and colleagues.
• Understanding Your Communication Style: Tools like personality assessments can help improve communication, but the real value comes from using them to spark conversations and better understand each other.
• Technology Can Enhance Communication: While technology has its drawbacks, it can also improve communication in healthcare. Sending video messages to staff, for example, can make communication more personal and effective.
• Cultural Sensitivity is Key: Understanding cultural differences in communication styles, such as direct vs. indirect communication, is crucial for healthcare providers to foster trust and rapport with patients from diverse backgrounds.

Resources & Links:

• Follow Brenden