Communication Archives

Causes of Interpersonal Conflict: Why Do We Fight?

What do you think causes interpersonal conflict at a high level? What makes trivial conflicts escalate into full-blown arguments? We all struggle with conflicts, both on a smaller scale—in our businesses and families—and on a grand scale—politically and intergovernmentally. Of course, the causes of interpersonal conflict are varied and wide-ranging. At a high level, however, many of them can all be boiled down to our inability to recognize and acknowledge that we are part of the problem. In this article, we’ll discuss what causes conflict, according to a leading consultant in conflict resolution the Arbinger Institute.

8 Tips for Therapists (and Problems to Avoid)

What are the best tips for therapists? What are some common problems you should avoid? From patient engagement, to the structure of a session, to setting feasible expectations, there are many things to consider as a therapist. Knowing some effective tips for therapists can help you navigate this, as well as understanding common issues you might face. Keep reading for the best tips for therapists.

How to Receive Feedback Effectively: 3 Tips

Do you often receive feedback? How do you respond to it? Why do you think feedback is so important? Feedback is an important element of personal and professional development but few people know how to receive feedback effectively. In their book Thanks for the Feedback, communication experts Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen provide some actionable tips on how to have a feedback conversation on the receiver’s end. In this article, we’ll look at specifics of how to have a feedback conversation: the general arc of the conversation, and major elements you need to touch upon to be successful.

Why Difficult Feedback Affects Your Identity

How to Communicate Effectively in 11 Steps

How do you react to negative feedback? Does criticism make you act defensive? Why do you think that is? According to communication experts Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen, the reason some people react defensively to difficult feedback is that it challenges their identity—who they feel they are. You can even be triggered by feedback that isn’t directly about you, but is instead about someone close to you. Because your identity is formed in part by comparison to others and the success of your peers can reflect on your own. Keep reading to learn how your identity story influences your criticism

How to Instill a Proactive Mindset in Your Team

How can you develop leaders by helping them have a proactive mindset? How can a change in language make a big difference? A proactive mindset helps people take ownership in their work. It goes hand in hand with authority to make decisions and promote progress. It can be as simple as declaring an intention to do something—rather than asking permission or waiting to be told to do it. Read more to learn how to instill a proactive mindset in your team members.

The 2 Intimacy Languages: Verbal and Nonverbal

What exactly is intimacy? What’s your preferred way of expressing intimacy—verbal or nonverbal? In modern times, our concept of intimacy has become more precise⁠—we consider it to be achieved mainly through verbal communication. But talking isn’t the only intimacy language, intimacy can also be fostered through nonverbal communication. Keep reading to learn about the two languages of intimacy, how and why they sometimes clash, and what can be done about it.

How to Effectively Incorporate Feedback

What do you do when someone gives you feedback? Do you think of ways to act on it? Or do you tend to brush it off? Feedback is any information you receive about yourself— it’s how you’re ranked, thanked, described, and advised. It can be hard to hear feedback, and much training has been devoted to how to better give it. The key, though, is learning how to better incorporate feedback. In this article, we’ll discuss some helpful tips and techniques that can help you get the most out of feedback.

The 9 Best Quotes From Awaken The Giant Within

Are you looking for quotes from Awaken the Giant Within? How can you apply these quotes to your own life? In Awaken The Giant Within, Tony Robbins offers advice for improving your life and mindset. Passages from this book can help you take control of your life, make better decisions, and improve your well-being. Keep reading for the best Awaken the Giant Within quotes, with explanations.

The Psychology of Feedback & Relationship Triggers

How do you react to feedback? What factors determine whether you are going to act on the feedback given or dismiss it as unimportant? According to communication experts Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen, we react to feedback, not because of the content of the feedback itself, but because of who gave it to us and our relationship with them. If we receive feedback from those we like (relationship trigger 1) and who treat us well (relationship trigger 2), we are more likely to heed their insights. Otherwise, we look for ways to disqualify the feedback. In this article, we’ll discuss

Clear Communication in the Workplace: Think Out Loud

How can you achieve clear communication in the workplace? What is the “think out loud” method? Thinking out loud goes against Navy training and culture, which says that, when reporting something up the chain of command, you should say as little as possible. Submarine captain David Marquet threw out this tradition and instituted the “think out loud” method of clear communication in the workplace. It allowed him to keep quiet and let his team do their jobs. Read more to learn about this method of achieving clear communication in the workplace and how it worked for Marquet.