RULES FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

↔ Don’t criticize, condemn or complain

↔ Give honest, sincere appreciation

↔ Arouse in your partner an eager desire

↔ Become genuinely interested in your partner

↔ Smile

↔ Be a good listener

↔ Encourage your partner to talk about themselves

↔ Speak in terms of your partner’s interests

↔ Make your partner feel important, and do it sincerely

↔ Avoid arguments with your partner. Take Time-Outs or agree to disagree as needed.

↔ Show respect for your partner’s opinions; never say “you are wrong.”

↔ If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically

↔ Begin all discussions and interactions in a friendly manner

↔ Get the other person saying “yes”

↔ Let your partner do a great deal of the talking

↔ Let your partner feel that the idea is his or hers

↔ Honestly try to see your partner’s point of view

↔ Be sympathetic with your partner’s ideas and desires

↔ Appeal to your partner’s nobler motives

↔ Dramatize your ideas

↔ Throw out the challenge