| Unless you are a hermit living on a desert | | | | |
| island or high on a mountain, you will most | | | | 1) When one or both parties believe that |
| likely have to learn how communication in | | | | their point of view is the only correct one. |
| relationships works. You will have | | | | |
| relationships with your family members, your | | | | 2) When the individual belief systems of all |
| neighbors, people in school, colleagues at | | | | parties concerned tend to clash because of |
| work - even vendors inthe market place. To | | | | inherent differences. |
| improve communication in relationships, it is | | | | |
| necessary to: | | | | 3) When one party prefers to keep his |
| | | | thoughts to himself, leaving the other party |
| 1) Be open to the prospect of improving | | | | jumping to conclusions. |
| communication in relationships. | | | | |
| | | | 4) When one or both parties rush into message |
| 2) Be aware that it is necessary for more | | | | delivery without thinking that the message |
| than one party to change so that | | | | imparted may hurt the receiver of their |
| communication can be opened and enhanced. | | | | message. |
| | | | |
| 3) Be open to changing your attitudes and way | | | | 5) When one or both parties opt to use |
| of speaking or writing, if necessary. | | | | negatively-worded statements when addressing |
| | | | the other person. |
| 4) Be open to adjusting to the other party's | | | | |
| point of view, when that other person is | | | | So how does one improve communication in |
| proven to be correct. | | | | relationships? Communication can improve if |
| | | | one takes the following advice to heart: |
| There are people who find it hard to do all | | | | |
| these. Such people may need the help of a | | | | 1) Learn to see things from the point of view |
| counselor or psychologist to uncover and | | | | of another person. |
| thresh out any possible problems hindering | | | | |
| them from accepting these steps for change. | | | | 2) Use words which have a more positive slant |
| | | | to them so that the other person will not |
| Improving communication in relationships may | | | | react negatively. |
| necessitate: | | | | |
| | | | 3) When possible, try to encourage and |
| 1) Fostering an environment in which all | | | | motivate the other party to improve - |
| parties may feel encouraged to express their | | | | particularly if the other party is a |
| opinions without fear of being attacked, | | | | subordinate. |
| criticized, or made fun of. | | | | |
| | | | 4) Do not react in the heat of anger. |
| 2) Acknowledging that other people have a | | | | |
| right to have feelings and opinions, just as | | | | 5) Think carefully about what words to use |
| you do. | | | | before you speak them. |
| | | | |
| 3) Acknowledging that you may have problems | | | | Communication with another person can be |
| with communicating in relationships, and that | | | | affected by our powers of persuasion. How |
| the problems exist not just with the other | | | | does one manage to persuade another person to |
| person. | | | | accept his point of view? Here are some ways: |
| | | | |
| 4) Holding back from blaming the other party | | | | 1) Restructure your message according to the |
| for all problems that crop up when | | | | point of view of the other person. |
| communicating. | | | | |
| | | | 2) Maintain a friendly environment in which |
| 5) Acknowledge that you only have control | | | | you and the other person will communicate. |
| overchanging yourself, not the other person. | | | | |
| | | | 3) Supply proof to back up your own |
| 6) Going slow at relaying | | | | statements. |
| emotionally-sensitiveinformation. | | | | |
| | | | 4) Think if you are in a position to supply |
| 7) Opting to write down any perceived | | | | what the other person wants. If you are, then |
| problems before sitting down with all other | | | | perhaps you should attempt to meet such |
| parties to discuss these problems. | | | | desires, needs or expectations. Certainly a |
| | | | person whose wants have been satisfied will |
| Miscommunication is a pretty common result of | | | | be in a more accommodating state of mind, |
| a breakdown in communication in | | | | meaning most likely he will try to |
| relationships. When does miscommunication | | | | acknowledge in return what you need. |
| become prevalent? | | | | |