Communication Archives

How to Improve Your Listening Skills: 4 Ways to Stop Missing Out

Do you ever check out in the middle of a conversation? How good are you at reading body language? In You’re Not Listening, Kate Murphy argues that listening skills are disappearing throughout society. She asserts that this has a disastrous impact because effective listening forms the foundation of healthy relationships, personal growth, and social cooperation. Read more to learn how to improve your listening skills with Murphy’s recommendations.

3 Simple Ways to Use Positive Reinforcement for Children

When and how should you praise your kids? When should you let natural consequences speak for you? In 1-2-3 Magic, clinical psychologist Thomas W. Phelan provides strategies for (1) stopping unwanted behavior, (2) helping kids initiate and sustain productive behaviors, and (3) fostering healthy parent-child relationships. The second part of his method entails a heavy dose of positivity. Keep reading to learn how to effectively use positive reinforcement for children.

How to Have Fun in a Relationship: Embrace Playfulness

How do you have fun in a relationship? What are some ways to be playful with your partner? One of the best ways to have a happy relationship is to simply have fun. The book Eight Dates says that being playful can open up many doors in your relationship, including new activities the two of you can do on dates. Check out how to have fun in a relationship and let loose.

The 3 Essential Components of a Story: What an Audience Expects

What makes a story a story? What does your audience expect from your narrative? In his 2018 book Unleash the Power of Storytelling, speechwriter-turned-actor Rob Biesenbach asserts that you can make any message much more compelling by simply telling a story. Whether you’re writing a novel or preparing a toast, you can learn from his advice. Keep reading to learn the three necessary components of a story, no matter what your message is.

What Makes a Story Interesting? The 4 Things a Narrative Needs

What makes a story interesting? How can you, as the storyteller, humanize yourself to your audience? How can you communicate a message that transcends the plot? You can think of a character, a goal, and an obstacle as the basic requirements for a story. But, even with those elements in place, not every story holds a listener’s attention. Rob Biesenbach says a story needs four additional characteristics to make it engaging. Read more to discover the power of these four elements that keep your audience tuned in to your story.

How to Discipline Your Child Without a Fight (1-2-3 Magic)

Do you tend to get too emotional when trying to direct your child’s behavior? Do counting methods of discipline really work? In 1-2-3 Magic, clinical psychologist Thomas W. Phelan explains how to discipline your child in a way that lets you spend less time managing your child’s behavior and more time enjoying your relationship. He describes the problems with common discipline methods and shares his simple counting approach. Read more to discover the 1-2-3 Magic way of discipline and see how it might work for your children.

Change in a Relationship: Adapting to the Inevitable

Is it normal for those in a relationship to change? How do you talk about change in a relationship? If you’re in a long-term relationship, chances are that you or your partner have changed over time. To deal with developments, you and your partner need to talk about them and remind yourselves why you love each other in the first place. Here’s how to discuss the inevitable changes your relationship will experience over the years.

Are You Learning by Listening? How You Grow By Tuning In

What don’t you know? How sounds are your beliefs? What if your inner voice gained more wisdom? It’s probably no surprise that you learn and grow when you listen well. But, you might not be aware of the specific ways you improve. This holds true, not just for the listener, but for the speaker, as well. When you’re not listening, you’re missing out. Read on to understand and appreciate the ways you learn by listening.

How to Structure a Story: Going Beyond Beginning, Middle, & End

If you’ve got a beginning, a middle, and an end, do you have a story? What’s missing? In his book Unleash the Power of Storytelling, speechwriter-turned-actor Rob Biesenbach believes that a story’s structure matters. But, he contends that there’s something even more important. He explains how to infuse certain processes into the structure to create a truly engaging story. Continue reading to learn, not just how to structure a story, but how to breathe life into that structure.

How to Collect Stories for Your Business & Use Them Well

How do you collect stories that will wow your audience? How do you choose the right story for the appropriate situation? Stories aren’t useful if you’re not telling them to the right people at the right time. Stories That Stick by Kindra Hall has stellar advice for choosing the best stories for your audience so you can get your point across. Below you’ll learn how collecting stories can be an easy process if you just know where to look.