Risks in Direct v. Indirect Communication

I always selected Luigi in Super Mario 2. Of the four characters to play, he felt the most natural. But what if the level requires Mario’s pounce? Peach’s float? Or Toad’s height (or lack-thereof)?

Cue our communication preference and the needs of a circumstance.

Perhaps one values an authoritative, aggressive, tell-it-how-it-is approach. Or the opposite, a more subtle posture. Direct and indirect communication has it’s pros and cons. But both carry risks.

Indirect communication:

• Aims to preserves honor within relationships.

• Risks missing what other directly wants.

Direct communication:

• Achieves information transaction.

• Risks costing the relationship.

When Jesus offended the disciples, they were offended by his teaching (Jn 6:60). Jesus did not offend them regarding policy issues, his carpet color opinion, or what time service ought to begin.

He told them to eat his flesh. 

Big difference.