Communication Skills
Building essential speaking and listening skills
Gentleness: Words Matter, But So Does How We Say Them
Gentleness is being patient, kind, and respectful in our interactions with others, creating more trust and stronger relationships with them.
Nonviolent Communication – Part 2: Listening with Empathy
Listening with empathy is about being present with the speaker, understanding their feelings, and responding with compassion. It is a powerful way to connect with others and build meaningful relationships.
Nonviolent Communication – Part 1: Getting Needs Met Without a Fight
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a way of communicating that focuses on empathy, compassion, and understanding. It is a powerful tool for resolving conflict and building strong relationships.
Active Listening: How to Reduce Conflict and Help Your Partner Feel Heard
Nick and Lauren were at an impasse. Whenever they discussed topics they disagreed on, the conversation quickly disintegrated into an argument, each talking over the other. Their marriage counselor recommended they both invest some time into improving their listening...
Mastering Difficult Conversations: How to Talk Through What Really Matters
Tiffany and Ryan were at an impasse. Tiffany wanted them to sell their cute but small home and buy something bigger for their growing family. Ryan disagreed—to him, the higher mortgage payment just meant more financial stress and sacrificing other priorities like...
Assertive Communication: The Goldilocks of Interaction
Assertive communication is a way of expressing yourself clearly and directly, while still being respectful of others. It can be helpful in a variety of situations, such as negotiating, giving feedback, and setting boundaries.
How Emotions Affect Communication
It started innocently enough—but what should have been an easy conversation about our weekend plans turned into a difficult one. The resulting discussion was a good reminder of how emotions affect communication. In particular, it highlighted why it’s necessary to have...
I’m Sorry – Special Issues with a Domestic Violence Apology
An apology is something that we all like to receive but most of us find difficult to give. And, giving an apology well will help restore a relationship, while other ways can sound empty and insincere. Maybe that’s why it seems like a good, effective apology is so...