Communication, in general speaking, equals the means of communicating with others, either in words or non-verbal methods. From my perspective, as a field of study, communication is more like learning skills about cooperations with others and negotiations. I first noticed that I might be capable of communicating well in arranging an annual activity during high school.

Students and teachers with torches adventure around campus at night, collaborating to solve clues and find the hidden “treasure”. Such is our annual “Treasure Hunt” for prizes that would not have been possible that Fall 2015, if I hadn’t negotiated them. I was a sophomore then, more foolish than wise, but I had one skill to my name: a silver tongue.

The first step is always the hardest: proposal. Our school director was against allocating a two-hour period for the event, as well as our request for a school bus to transport non-boarding students home. “That period is for self-study and students need to find their own way home, as usual,” The tone of her email was stern, so Step Two: in-person meeting.

While sweating, I spent two hours trying desperately to explain my reasons. The director refused to change her mind. “If you insist, I'll cut the club fund next semester.” Those were her last words. Not bad?

Look, I wasn’t born a negotiator. I became one. Being a member of Wings Plan had challenged me to communicate with teachers, students, and teammates. I’d initially sold snacks and talked to customers in our retail store, then became its manager, negotiating our supplies. Experience taught me to persist, with finesse.

Before a mirror, I practiced to build confidence, then consulted other club members. “Do not hold plan A tightly; be like water, adjust to changing circumstances”. I kept their advice, tightened my belt, loosened my shirt, and set out for Step Three: several very sincere, apologetic emails sprinkled with determination.

She finally agreed to meet again. This time, I did not follow my draft strictly. She agreed to the two-hour length, but not the bus services because of its expense. Ok. I compromised: how about we use the income from our retail store to pay for it? Deal.

On behalf of our club, I initiated our daytime Halloween Party and nighttime Treasure Hunt. It's now become our school’s new annual “tradition,” because neither a pirate nor our director could pass on joyfully competing for 1000 RMB! The process of negotiating with the director and cooperating with other members of the club led my passion to develop such a skill as communication and to deeply explore it in an academic way.