An Interview with Dr. Kunjam Pooja

An Interview with Dr. Kunjam Pooja

Dr. Kunjam Pooja, a Civil Assistant Surgeon in Telangana, India, specializes in child nutrition and is a passionate classical dancer, mother, and lifelong learner. An Amazon #1 best-selling author and member of the International Council of Authors, she combines her professional expertise and diverse interests to inspire others toward personal and professional success.

The Literature Times: What inspired you to write Art of Communication: 10 Keys to Change Your Life?

Dr. Kunjam Pooja: In my experiences interacting with people in various personal and professional settings, I have observed that communication gaps often led to misunderstandings. These misunderstandings altered the perspectives of the people, resulting in changes that affected life’s direction. Additionally,  they caused significant mental and emotional stress, negatively affecting well-being, relationships, and overall progress. This realization inspired me to write a book on communication, which I titled “ART OF COMMUNICATION: 10 KEYS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE.”

The Literature Times: Can you share a personal experience where effective communication transformed a challenging situation?

Dr. Kunjam Pooja: I have faced several challenging personal experiences that highlighted the importance of effective communication in transforming difficult situations. One particular instance related to my professional role involved our District Health and Medical Officer assigning me the responsibility of assigning duties to our department’s staff nurses. This task was overwhelming since their services were also utilized in other departments more frequently than ours.

Besides, our hospital superintendent was unaware of these orders and directed us to allocate the staff elsewhere. This lack of coordination complicated the situation, leading to misunderstandings and mental stress among the team.

Fortunately, the situation was resolved during a meeting where I had the chance to clarify the orders I received and how I had carried out my responsibilities. By effectively communicating our challenges, we could transform a difficult situation into a positive outcome.

The Literature Times: What are the most common barriers people face in mastering communication skills?

Dr. Kunjam Pooja: Several barriers hinder individuals from mastering communication skills. Some of these include:

1. Belief that one knows everything and is always right.

2. Failure to listen to understand the situation, which complicates matters further.

3. Having a predetermined mindset.

4. Not being solution-oriented.

5. Lack of awareness regarding communication skills.

6. Unaware of the positive and negative effects of communication skills.

7. Insufficient time dedicated to learning these skills.

8. Fear of judgment.

9. Low self-esteem.

10. Anxiety about speaking in front of an audience.

11. Jumping to conclusions.

12. Engaging in negative self-talk.

13. Misinterpretations.

14. A limited vocabulary.

Addressing these barriers can significantly improve one’s communication abilities.

The Literature Times: Your book addresses communication in multidimensional settings. Which area do you find most challenging for people, and why?

Dr. Kunjam Pooja: My book explores various situations where empathetic listening is particularly challenging. I noticed that people often rush to conclusions based on the information they have, neglecting to listen with empathy. This lack of empathetic listening can lead to unresolved problems and can worsen both the situation and the conversations within the team. Listening with empathy is crucial for effectively resolving challenging situations.

The Literature Times: How does your medical background influence your approach to communication?

Dr. Kunjam Pooja: Communication plays a pivotal role in the medical field, just as it does in various professional settings. It is essential for connecting with patients and encouraging them to open up about their health issues. If patients fail to share important information about their health and disease conditions, it can lead to ineffective treatment and a loss of trust and credibility.

There is also significant intercommunication among multiple doctors, lab assistants, and nursing staff regarding the final diagnosis and treatment. Any communication gaps can result in misdiagnosis or changes in the treatment plan.

Moreover,  effective communication is crucial for counseling, raising awareness about disease conditions, and providing guidance on care and follow-ups after treatment. This communication fosters a healthy doctor-patient relationship and contributes to overall patient progress.

The Literature Times: You’ve highlighted parenting in the book. Why do you think communication is vital in raising disciplined and confident children?

Dr. Kunjam Pooja: I believe that communication is vital in raising disciplined and confident children, as it plays a crucial role in their upbringing. Effective communication between parents and children is essential for healthy parenting. Unfortunately, in today’s world of child trauma and abuse, many children struggle with mental and emotional challenges that lead to insecurities and can pave the way for addictions. These issues can impact their discipline and self-confidence, ultimately resulting in behavioral and lifestyle changes.

The effects of these challenges not only influence the children’s own lives but can also impact others when they grow up, leading to complex situations. Therefore, it’s better to address these issues at an early stage rather than attempting to reshape behavior later, which may be much more difficult.

This is where the significant role of communication in parenting comes into play. By encouraging children to express themselves openly and by listening to them with empathy, parents can help children share their insecurities and make it easier to resolve issues. This approach fosters a healthy relationship between generations and nurtures a balanced and harmonious environment, providing timely guidance that helps children grow into better individuals.

The Literature Times: What role does emotional intelligence play in successful communication, and how can one develop it?

Dr. Kunjam Pooja: Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in effective communication, as it involves managing one’s own emotions while also considering the feelings of others. This skill is especially valuable during challenging situations, as it helps straightforwardly resolve conflicts.

One can develop emotional intelligence by spending time with others, engaging in conversations, and empathetically listening to their stories from different perspectives. Keeping an open mind allows individuals to better understand situations from others’ viewpoints, which in turn helps them navigate these situations more effectively.

The Literature Times: How do you incorporate public speaking techniques into daily conversations for personal and professional growth?

Dr. Kunjam Pooja: Here are some tips to incorporate public speaking techniques into daily conversations for personal and professional growth:

1. Practice active listening. 

2. Improve your body language. 

3. Enhance your voice. 

4. Share short stories. 

5. Develop impromptu speaking skills. 

6. Build your vocabulary. 

7. Seek feedback from others. 

8. Embrace virtual platforms for communication. 

9. Join public speaking groups. 

10. Be aware of nonverbal cues. 

11. Set specific goals for improvement. 

The Literature Times: You’re also an artist and performer. How have those experiences shaped your understanding of impactful communication?

Dr. Kunjam Pooja: As an artist and performer, here are some ways how my experiences shaped my understanding of impactful communication:

1. Connection Through Emotion: We, as artists and performers are skilled at evoking emotions through visuals, movement, or sound, creating messages that are memorable and impactful.

2. Body Language and Presence: We use nonverbal cues to convey meaning, highlighting the importance of tone, gestures, and expressions in communication.

3. Storytelling as a tool: We often incorporate storytelling, helping to simplify complex ideas and make them relatable.

4. Adaptability and Audience Awareness: We, as performers, adapt our delivery based on audience reactions, a skill that enhances effective communication.

5. Boldness and Vulnerability: Both art and performance encourage risk-taking and vulnerability, fostering authenticity that builds trust and connection in communication.

The Literature Times: What message do you hope readers take away from your book, and how do you envision it transforming their lives?

Dr. Kunjam Pooja: The core message I want readers to take away is this: communication is not just about words; it is a powerful tool for connection, influence, and transformation. Mastering communication can unlock opportunities, deepen relationships, and foster personal and professional growth.

I envision this book transforming readers’ lives by equipping them with practical skills to express themselves confidently, listen actively, and build genuine rapport with others. With these ten keys, they can navigate challenging conversations, overcome misunderstandings, and ultimately create more meaningful and harmonious interactions in every area of their lives—whether at work, with family, or in their pursuits.

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