Speak out for a better relationship

Stop and listen

How many times have you heard someone say this or read this in an article about communication skills? How hard is it to actually do when you're "in the moment?" Harder than it sounds.

When we're knee deep within a serious discussion or argument with our significant other, it's hard to put aside our point for the moment and just listen. We're often so afraid of not being heard, we rush to keep talking. Ironically, such behaviour makes it all the more likely we won't be heard.

Force yourself to hear

You've stopped talking for the moment, but your head is still swirling with all of the things you want to say, so you're still not really hearing what is being said.

Laugh all you want, but therapists have a technique that works very well that "forces" them to really hear what a client tells them — rephrasing what a person has just said to them (called "reflection").

This may upset a partner if you do it too much or do it in a tone that suggests you're mocking rather than trying to seriously listen.

So use the technique sparingly, and let your partner know why you're doing it if they ask — "Sometimes I don't think I'm getting what you're telling me, and doing this lets me slow my mind down a bit and really try and hear what you're saying."

Be open and honest with your partner

Some people have never been very open to others in their life. Heck, some people might not even know themselves, or know much about their own real needs and desires. But to be in a relationship is to take a step toward opening up your life and opening up yourself.

Little lies turn into big lies. Hiding your emotions behind a cloak of invincibility might work for you but won't work for most others. Pretending everything is alright isn't alright.

And giving your partner the silent treatment is about as useful as a fish with a bicycle. In the desert. At night. These things may have "worked" for you in the past, but they are all barriers to good communication.

Being open means talking about things you may have never talked about with another human being before in your life.

It means being vulnerable and honest with your partner, completely and unabashedly. It means opening yourself up to possible hurt and disappointment. But it also means opening yourself up to the full potential of all a relationship can be.

Pay attention to nonverbal signals

Most of our communication with one another in any friendship or relationship isn't what we say, but how we say it.

Nonverbal communication is your body language, the tone of your voice, its inflection, eye contact, and how far away you are when you talk to someone else.

Learning to communicate better means that you need to learn how to read these signals as well as hear what the other person is saying.

Reading your partner's nonverbal signals takes time and patience, but the more you do it, the more attuned you will be to what they're really saying, such as:

S Folded arms in front of a person may mean they're feeling defensive or closed off.

S Lack of eye contact may mean they're not really interested in what you're saying, are ashamed of something, or find it difficult to talk about something.

S Louder, more aggressive tone may mean the person is escalating the discussion and is becoming very emotionally involved. It might also suggest they feel like they're not being heard or understood.

S Someone who's turned away from you when talking to you may mean disinterest or being closed off.

S All the while you're reading your partner's nonverbal signals, be aware of your own. Make and maintain eye contact, keep a neutral body stance and tone to your voice, and sit next to the person when you're talking to them.

Stay focused in the here and now

Sometimes discussions turn into arguments, that can then morph into a discussion about everything and the kitchen sink.

To be respectful of one another and the relationship, you should try and keep the discussion (or argument) focused to the topic at hand.

While it's easy to get in the cheap shots or bring up everything that an argument seems to call for, just don't.

If the argument is ostensibly about who's making dinner tonight, keep it that topic. Don't veer off down the country road of who does what in the house, who's responsible for child rearing, and by the way, who cleans the kitchen sink.