Having a healthy relationship, whether we’re talking about a romantic relationship, friendship, or even a professional relationship, requires respect and trust. However, it’s difficult, or perhaps even impossible to do that without communication. The concept of communication can seem very basic, as people are talking to one another all the time. However, it’s important to realize that communication can either be simple or complex depending on the skills and tools you are using. When it comes to your relationship, the skills you use can either make or break it.
The Basics
When people get to know each other, they do it by talking. When it comes to building a relationship with somebody, learning more about them is key. Openly speaking to one another will strengthen the relationship. Whether that is learning about the deepest and darkest secrets of the person you are in a relationship with or finding out more about a friend by asking about their hobbies and interests, engaging in talk that provides freedom, comfort, and the chance to get to know one another better is important. If you want to communicate better in the workplace, this professional communication certification can be a great way to gain new skills.
Safe Communication
When it comes to your romantic relationships, it’s important to be able to feel safe to share anything and everything with your partner. It’s not possible for two people to build a healthy romantic relationship and build a life together if they are not comfortable sharing things with one another. Even if you might not be comfortable sharing something with anybody else, the one person that you should feel free to talk about it with is your partner. If you’re not feeling safe to talk with your partner, then this might cause a lot of fights, or even lead to the relationship ending.
Respect in Communication
Whoever you are communicating with, whether it be a romantic partner, friend, or somebody in the workplace, respect is one of the most important aspects of communication. You should always speak respectfully when communicating and try not to be hurtful. Take responsibility for your feelings, be honest about what you need and listen to one another. This is especially important in a romantic relationship as it can be all too easy to take your frustrations out on the people who are closest to as you feel safer to do them. But remember, while you can go to your partner with your frustrations, being respectful is more likely to get you the support that you need.
Understanding Communication Styles
People have different communication styles, so whether you are talking to your partner, friend, family member or somebody else, understanding how they communicate is key. Some people need to step away to take a minute to collect themselves during a heavy discussion, for example. While this might not always make sense to you, understanding and respecting the other person’s communication style and what they need to communicate better will benefit the relationship greatly.
