Tips for Communicating Awesomely

The second most requested issue (after managing stress and anxiety) that we deal with at Take A Step is how to improve relationships, particularly conflict management and communication skills.

Whether it’s through couples counselling or individuals wishing to discuss issues with their partners, we have devised some easy-to-follow ‘Ground Rules’ which will help create a respectful setting to begin the discussion around your dissatisfactions with one another.

Ground Rules for Effective Communication

Respect

One person to talk at a time, speak with respect, kindness and compassion.

Avoid Blame

Try and be non-judgmental.

Avoid Justification

It’s common to be caught in the blame-justification loop*.

It’s Always Ok To Feel How You Feel

Feelings are not the same as behaviours!

It is important to note that conflict is natural, normal and expected.  IF done well, it is an important feature of a healthy relationship.

The formula for effective communication is easy in theory, but harder in practice. It is about letting your partner (or family member, friend or colleague etc) know why you are dissatisfied in a non-judgmental, non-blaming, clear and concise manner.

The barriers that can get in the way are often pride, ego or getting defensive.

*The Blame – Justification loop

Partners often get caught in a blame-justification loop, whereby one would try and tell the other what they’re annoyed about and the other becomes defensive and as a result, justifies their behaviour. This is an unhelpful dynamic and stops its participants from hearing one another. Ultimately, people just want to feel heard and understood first, before any resolutions can even be considered.

So what next….?

If you need some help with your relationship, give us a call and book in a session. We can offer a whole menu of tips and tools on how to communicate effectively and manage conflict in a healthy way.