Importance of Communication

Importance of Communication 

Relationship experts assure us that healthy relationships are built on a foundation of effective communication. This is true for relationships with your parents, siblings, and friends, as well as romantic relationships.

Effective Communication Skills

Practice Active Listening: Ask follow up questions. Ask for clarification when necessary. Maintain eye contact. Don’t let your mind wander.

Communication Means: a message was sent, received, and understood.

Consider the Other Person’s Point of View: There is a reason behind everyone’s thoughts and actions. If you don’t understand it, then ask!

Get to the Point: Don’t bore or confuse your listener with irrelevant topics.

Be Positive: Others will be more open to your thoughts and ideas.

Forget the Past: Don’t bring up past grudges when discussing present situations. Deal with each issue individually and promptly.

Work toward a Solution: Don’t just complain or vent. Brainstorm a way to fix the problem.

Take a Break to Cool Your Temper

Learn to Compromise: Healthy relationships require you to consider the other person’s needs, in addition to your own.

Use “I” Statements: instead of “You make me angry” try “I feel angry when you __________.”

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Your Anger: Passive -aggressive behavior (refusing to talk and giving the cold shoulder) resolves nothing. Work it out!

The Most Important Communication Skill

While these tips will undoubtedly make your communication more effective, the most important communication skill is learning to apologize and forgive. Forgiveness is central to the Christian faith. Many church services begin with the confession of sins, followed immediately by the absolution from the pastor, assuring us that our sins are forgiven in Christ.

When we live with and interact with other people, we will inevitably sin against each other. If we leave those offenses unresolved, they can cause anger, hurt, and division in our relationships. But if we are quick to apologize for our mistakes and eager to forgive those who apologize to us, our relationships can move forward without the burden of past struggles. 

Making Changes

Reflect for a moment on your own relationships and communication skills. What are your strengths as a communicator? What are your weaknesses? 

Can you make a goal to improve in one area of effective communication? Perhaps your friendships will benefit from you talking less and listening more. If discussions with your parents frequently turn to heated arguments, you may need to take a break and renew the discussion when your temper has cooled. Or maybe you hold onto grudges and struggle with forgiving those who love you but still sin against you. 

Bad communication habits are not easy to break, but there is incredible potential for your relationships if you are willing to invest the effort! 

link address: http://www.livestrong.com/article/122613-resolve-conflict/ 

After reading the "Effective Communication" lecture and this LiveStrong.Com article on conflict resolution, please post your response. Do you have a relationship that involves a lot of conflict in your life right now? Which method(s) of conflict resolution do you use most often? What new ideas for effective communication and conflict resolution might you apply to your personal relationships? What change will be most challenging for you to make? Be specific.