Communication skills

“Lack of communication leaves fear and doubt.” ~Kellan Lutz

Good communication can strengthen any connection. Staying in touch, sharing how we feel, and expressing interest in the lives of others can go a long way toward building solid relationships.

I’m an over-communicator by nature and by trade. After college, I had jobs that required meetings and follow-up phone calls. Later, as a newspaper columnist, my career was all about talking to people in print. (Early in my marriage, an in-law told me I “talk too much.”) But after years of living among both chatterboxes and quiet people, I’m usually more comfortable with the chatterboxes.

While some folks believe it’s safer to say less — or nothing at all — the silent treatment doesn’t foster close relationships. For instance, unreturned phone calls and unanswered texts or emails might leave us wondering. Is this benign neglect or a power play? Or did something happen to the person who isn’t responding? If you want to strengthen any relationship, practicing healthy communication skills is your key to success. ~CL

** Speaking of communication ... My column this week on Substack features a tool for engaging in difficult conversations — including political discussions — and keys to understanding people who think differently than we do. You can read it here.