How to Be a Better Communicator in a Relationship

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm Joe Cuenco with Family Resources. Today we're going to be talking about how to improve our relationship skills through communications. Specifically, how to become a good communicator in a relationship. Communication is basically a process. It's a two way process. When we think about how we might send an email or send a file across email, essentially what happens is that the receiving side acknowledges that the sending side is ready to send a file or ready for communication. So in that way, it's back and forth full duplex. The medium is clear; meaning that communication can take place and go from the sender and go to the receiver. It's also important that when we communicate that we have a clear medium and clear minds. Sometimes it's important for us if we're talking about something very serious to go away in a quiet space, turn the TV off, music, everything off so that we have the ability to have a clear exchange of information. The important thing that when we do communicate is that we have full exchange of understanding. If you say something, it's probably a good thing for your partner to repeat exactly what was said. Did I get that completely? Did I understand that completely or is there anything else that you would like to add to the conversation? Sometimes that's a good way to make sure that it's back and forth. There's good dialog. The other important thing that in communications is to be honest. I mean if you're going to have discussion about something, particularly something very important, make sure that you have all the facts, actuate facts. And don't hide things or leave things out because what you want to do is have a real heart to heart. Meaning that you come to a great understanding between one another because that's really important. Otherwise, the communication process breaks down. So once you get to a certain point and rhythm, you know then the communication process becomes very easy. Then you avoid things like, tonality to where something may be said. Your body language may be a little different. Where the other partner says, "What exactly did you mean by that? That I'm not a good communicator. Why did you say that I'm not a good communicator?" So the thing is, the tonality, attitude is important. But if you get to a point to where you begin building up and understanding trust and the dialog flows freely, that's a real important way to solidify your relationship. Communication is one of the top five fundamentals in a relationship and it's real key. So learn how to be a good communicator, solidify your relationship and that's how you can build relationships for life. I'm Joe Cuenco with Family Resources."