Intention: Defining the Purpose of your Message

What is intent and why is it crucial?

Intent is the specific purpose or goal that underlies every act of communication; it is the answer to the fundamental question, "What am I seeking to accomplish with this message?"

Every time we communicate, we have a goal, whether it is to announce a change, motivate a team, or provide an opinion.

Defining this intention is crucial because it acts as the starting point and guide for all interaction.

Without a clear goal, communication tends to be unfocused, ineffective and susceptible to misunderstanding.

Surprisingly, many people start conversations without having a defined goal, which is one of the most common and damaging mistakes in communication.

Therefore, being clear about what you want to achieve is the first indispensable step in constructing a message that is truly effective.

The importance of communicating intent to avoid ambiguity

On many occasions, it is not enough to have a clear intention; it is also vital to communicate it explicitly to the interlocutor.

Stating the purpose at the beginning of a conversation eliminates ambiguity and establishes a framework of transparency from the outset.

When the purpose is stated, for example, by saying "I would like to give you my opinion on your presentation," the other person immediately understands the context and purpose of the dialogue, which facilitates a more open and constructive reception.

This is especially important because different intentions require completely different communicative approaches; the tone and language for motivating a team are very different from those that would be used to simply report on a financial statement.

By sharing intent, we ensure that all participants are aligned and focused on the same goal.

How Clarity of Intent Improves Message Accuracy

A well-defined intent works like a compass for the communicator, allowing them to fine-tune every aspect of their message with much greater precision.

The clearer the intent, the more accurate the choice of words, the intonation of the voice and even the physiology or body language adopted to convey the idea.

This purpose acts as a guiding principle that aligns all components of communication - verbal and nonverbal - in the same direction.

It is this coherence, driven by a clear intention, that transforms a simple utterance of words into a powerful, deliberate act of communication with a high probability of success.

This ensures that the message is not only delivered, but also received as intended.

Summary

Intent is the specific purpose that underlies every act of communication; it is the answer to "What do I seek to achieve?". Defining this intent is crucial because it acts as the guide for the entire interaction.

It is not only vital to have a clear intention, but also to communicate it explicitly to the interlocutor to eliminate ambiguity. By sharing the intention, we ensure that all participants are aligned and focused.

A well-defined intent functions as a compass that allows us to fine-tune every aspect of the message with greater precision. It is this consistency, driven by a clear objective, that transforms a simple utterance of words into a powerful act.