Too often, too many people stay silent in response to mistreatment or upset. Regardless of whether the other person is your partner, spouse or friend, speaking up about issues that are bothering you is vital to healthy relationships. Below are five reasons why speaking up is so important: 1. Silence often leads to resentment. When […]
Straight Talk: What is it and What Does it Sound Like?
I’m struck by how much people don’t say. They hint, insinuate, tiptoe, sugar coat, say half-truths, silence, manipulate, annihilate, etc., yet few actually directly state (respectfully) what’s going on for them. When I talk with clients about saying things directly, they almost immediately start to get anxious. Many people don’t want to “be mean,” get […]
All The Ways We Duck…And What It Costs Us
Time and time again, I’m hearing stories about people ducking in order to avoid an uncomfortable conversation, a possible conflict, an angry spouse, an annoying co-worker, etc. Both men and women fall prey to the ducking phenomenon. Not surprisingly, ducking works no better for men than it does for women. Ducking is a bad move […]