Ep. 14 | The Art of Communication: Verbal, Non-verbal and Beyond
Communication in EMS is rarely just about the words we say. It’s about tone, timing, body language, emotional awareness, and how our message is received — especially in high-stress environments where emotions run high and misunderstandings happen fast.
In this episode, we break down what communication actually is: a bidirectional, emotional exchange that requires intention, awareness, and adaptability. We talk about why so many communication breakdowns happen not because someone didn’t speak, but because everyone assumed they were understood.
A major focus of this conversation is emotional intelligence — understanding what you’re feeling, why you’re feeling it, and how those emotions influence the way you communicate with partners, patients, supervisors, and loved ones. We explore the core components of emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and empathy, and why these skills are foundational for effective communication and leadership in EMS.
We also dive into the different types of communication — verbal, non-verbal, and written — and how each one carries its own risks for misinterpretation. From tone and body language to text messages, emojis, punctuation, and generational differences in digital communication, we talk about how meaning can easily be lost when context is missing.
This episode breaks down communication styles — passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive — and how each one shows up in real life. We discuss why assertive communication is the goal: clear, direct, respectful, and confident without being cruel. We also explore how mismatches between words, tone, and body language can create confusion, distrust, and conflict, even when intentions are good.
Finally, we look at perceived communication — how messages are received — through the lens of passive vs. active and constructive vs. destructive responses. We talk about why active constructive communication builds trust, strengthens relationships, and improves team dynamics, while other response styles can unintentionally shut people down.
At its core, this episode is about learning to slow down, reflect, and communicate with intention — because how we say something often matters just as much as what we say.
In this episode, we cover:
Why communication is an emotional, two-way exchange
The role of emotional intelligence in EMS communication
Self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social awareness
Verbal, non-verbal, and written communication pitfalls
How tone, body language, and text messaging change meaning
Passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive communication styles
How messages are perceived vs. how they’re intended
Active constructive communication and why it builds trust
Aligning message, emotion, and intention
Clear communication isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being intentional, self-aware, and willing to adjust. This episode is a reminder that effective communication is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and improved — and that doing so makes us better partners, providers, and leaders.
