Healthy communication is the cornerstone of a strong relationship and yet most of us take communication for granted. After all, we all talk to our partners, friends, and family members, right?
However, effective communication goes beyond talk. Communication has three parts: how you are presenting the message, the message itself, and how the other person is receiving the message. How are you speaking in your relationships? What are you actually saying? Are you being an active listener? There are so many factors that can be overlooked when it comes to effective communication. Unfortunately, a lack of healthy communication can quickly cause relationships to crumble.
Effective communication can transform your relationships for the better.
Let’s take a closer look at why effective communication is so important and how it can impact nearly every relationship in your life.
A Better Understanding
Effective communication fosters empathy and understanding and reduces conflict. It encourages active listening, allowing the people you’re with to express themselves openly and freely without the fear of being judged.
Active listening includes picking up on both verbal and nonverbal cues. It lets people know you really care about what they have to say and you’re willing to do whatever it takes to understand their needs and emotions. This is important in every relationship, but it’s especially necessary in a romantic situation when you’re trying to empathize with your partner’s feelings and meet their needs.
Greater Levels of Trust
When you’re in a relationship built on honesty and openness, trust grows naturally. Again, in romantic relationships, that can build intimacy by allowing both partners to feel comfortable with vulnerability.
Every relationship deserves a sense of security. When someone knows they aren’t going to be criticized or judged by the feelings and emotions they share, they feel safe, and trust flows from that.
Better Conflict Resolution
Did you know that some of the happiest, healthiest couples in the world still have disagreements regularly? They just know how to argue in a balanced way without attacking the other person and still showing up with love and respect.
Disagreements in a relationship of any kind aren’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, you’re two different people. You’re not going to see eye-to-eye on everything. But, effective communication can transform your disagreements into something that will actually make your bond stronger.
You’ll be able to resolve conflicts quickly by finding common ground. You’ll understand each other’s needs and look at different perspectives, rather than adopting a “need to win” mentality. By the time the disagreement is over, you’ll emerge stronger than before because you’ll recognize that you’re on the same team and want the same things, even if you have different approaches to get there.
Additionally, effective and thoughtful communication can lead to fewer arguments. There is less room for miscommunication, misunderstandings, and negative assumptions when you’re actively communicating with someone. So many disagreements start because of misunderstandings that spiral out of control. When you stop those misunderstandings before they start, you’ll find that your relationship is less tense and more peaceful. We need to remember that a key part of effective communication is recognizing when you are feeling overwhelmed, taking a step back to breathe and then coming back to talk. Hashing things out in the moment isn’t always the best strategy!
A Sense of Belonging
Everyone deserves to feel needed, wanted, and loved. Effective communication within a relationship provides that. It gives both people involved in the relationship a sense of belonging and support. Both people know that no matter what, the other individual will be there for them on every step of their journey.
Next Steps
Healthy communication can lead to more fulfilling relationships in your life. Obviously, the people closest to you are going to be the ones you open up to the most. However, don’t hesitate to be a better communicator in every relationship you have. You might be surprised to see how much of an impact it has.
If you’re having trouble with your communication efforts, consider reaching out for help. Being an effective communicator doesn’t come naturally for everyone. I offer communication skills training and I’m happy to help you on your journey, so feel free to set up a consultation today.