COMMUNICATION & CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Effective communication is an essential life skill.
Effective communication, whether verbal or nonverbal, is important in relationships. In personal and professional contexts, effective communication can foster trust and respect, prevent conflict from emerging, create a pathway for resolving difficult situations, improve productivity, and contribute to a culture that is healthy and empowering.
Examples of effective communication skills:
- Active listening
- Open, affirming non-verbal communication
- Understanding nonverbal cues
- Assertiveness
- Asking questions
- Being clear and succinct
- Being responsive and adaptable
- Clarifying and summarizing
- Being empathetic
- Emotional intelligence
- Providing and receiving feedback
- Developing trust and rapport
- Confidence
- Being present
How do you communicate?
Everyone communicates in different ways. Factors that impact our communication styles include early childhood experiences, past trauma, cultural or linguistic differences, ability to empathize, and effectively embracing strengths related to listening and responding in healthy ways.
Four major communication styles:
- Assertive – involves sharing power with others so that needs and feelings are heard on both sides and no one’s rights are violated.
Behaviors can include:
- Using “I” statements
- Maintaining appropriate eye contact
- Calm, clear, and direct communication
- Open and welcoming gestures
- Effective listening skills
- Aggressive – involves expressing needs or feelings in ways that violate the rights of others.
Behaviors can include:
- Speaking loudly
- Using of “you” statements to attack or blame
- Remarks that are rude or humiliating
- Making demands or threats
- Intense eye contact
- Forceful body gestures
- Frequent interruptions
- Poor listening
- Passive – involves the avoidance of expressing one’s needs and feelings, as well as the experience of others infringing on their rights.
Behaviors can include:
- Speaking softly
- Being overly apologetic
- Being silent (or failing to express own needs or feelings)
- Lack of eye contact
- Poor body posture
- Difficulties saying “no” to others
- Passive-aggressive – involves appearing passive, and yet acting out in subtle ways that are indirect or secretive.
Behaviors can include:
- Inconsistency between facial expressions and feelings
- Giving someone the silent treatment
- Denying that there is a problem
- Spreading lies or rumors
- Hurtful, manipulative, or sabotaging actions
Assertive communication is the healthiest, most effective style of communication. However, it can be difficult to put into practice, especially when conflict emerges in a relationship.
Assertive communication is a skill – and with practice, the better you’ll get.
Counseling and therapy at Wellness Grove…
Our in-person (outpatient) counseling services are offered in Canton OH (near Akron, North Canton, and Massillon). We also offer telemental health sessions to all Ohio residents.
Wellness Grove
