Wishing You 12 Months of Positive Communication

Let's face it: The last year has been disruptive for many, and universal stressors may have taken tolls on your relationships. We cannot always change circumstances, but we can change our responses. Instead of navigating through important moments of communication on automatic pilot, reacting from emotion rather than intention, we can transform our relationships by being proactive with positive communication. As we approach 2022, consider making a resolution to practice 12 months of healthy communication.

As communication researchers and partners in work and marriage for decades, we’ve experienced both the joy and challenge of personal and business communication and have found some simple steps to resolve conflict and build trust in relationships:

• Listen when your impulse is to argue.
• Edit accusations that might make someone feel put down, and instead describe your feelings.
• If you have a grievance, pinpoint details with specific examples and without loaded words.
• Acknowledge your role in any problem.
• Reach explicit, collaborative solutions that specify what each person will do differently in the future.

Confronting issues is never an easy matter, but avoidance can be hazardous not just to our relationships, but also to our personal well-being.

Here’s wishing you a happy, healthy, communicative 2022!

Do you have a New Year’s resolution that involves communication?  To join the conversation, click "comments" located just below the photo for this article.  We'd love to hear your feedback!

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