Health Media Today
Health Media Today is a leading network of Canadian Health and Wellness web sites. The network provides the latest news, advice and opinions from Canadians for Canadians.
Communication Is Key For Healthy Relationships
Author : Ann Barnes, Be a Better Being Category : Health and Wellness
In my prior life as an in-house lawyer working closely with various companies and corporate executives/senior management, one main consistency in such management teams was to hire corporate/executive communication speakers to advise employees on how to improve corporate communication skills.
In my career-climbing years I so desperately wanted to be a part of the corporate team and prove how worthy I was to be a part of their branded club, I would attentively listen to these wise people to give me some kind of tip that would propel me forward in my burgeoning career. But what I didn’t think of then is that for all of the time and off-site attention that the management teams spent trying to engage and work on their office communication skills, these “business” skills are actually things that apply across the board. Not the Board of Directors, but the white board of your life. It is all the same…or should be all the same.
How you treat people matters: whether they are the photocopiers in the Big Whig law firm print shop, or the administrative assistant who is the gatekeeper of all things important (and those that are not), or the CEO who nibbles on and swallows small pieces of paper when nervous….and most importantly it matters when you are at home with your family and friends. Whatever the situation, how you communicate (speak, listen, process and act) is key to your happiness and those around you.
In my book I say that the basis of good communication is a simple formula: ask, listen, understand and repeat (in eternity). Ironically, when I was trying to find a great “expert” to provide information for my website regarding relationships, the one that resonated the most and reflected my formula, was from a man named Chris Witt who is author of the business book “CEO’s Don’t Use Powerpoint” and he also does executive management training. Chris deals with top CEO’s and management to teach them skills to improve their organizations effectiveness and ultimate profitability. But his principles of effective communication can be applicable to all situations (trust me when I say that some executives I have worked with had less developed communication skills than my 6 year old son).
His post on “How to Never Lose an Argument” is good advice for office and home:
http://wittcom.com/how_to_never_lose_an_argument.htm
Also, his points on strategic listening are equally as applicable and resonated big time for me when applied to dealing with children and how to decipher what has upset them and on what level.
http://wittcom.com/strategic_listening.htm
And last but not least, if conflict does arise his steps for resolution are very helpful:
http://wittcom.com/how_to_resolve_conflict.htm.
I hope this helps you on all levels of communication in all situations. It may not be easy to implement, but with practice implementing these approaches can facilitate better and more healthy relationships.
A special thanks to Chris!
Ann
Ann Barnes, author of the wellness book: "BETTER BEING", provides simple answers for clean and balanced living.
Ann left her fast-paced legal career to pursue her love of nutrition and easy healthy-home cooking. She leads an organic, vegan and gluten free lifestyle.
Join her at: www.beabetterbeing.com for wellness tips and facts, fun contests and great whole food recipes!
