Archive for March, 2012
Parent, Teen Communication – Stop Pushing Each Other’s Buttons
As a parent, you have spent many years nurturing and protecting your child. Now this child is a teenager and thinks she/he is an adult, and doesn’t hesitate to tell you so! (hot button) You may find yourself trying to impose your own logic and life experience. (hot button) You may feel the need to ‘fix it’ for them. After all, you’ve been there, done that, right? (hot button) This approach often leaves both you and your child frustrated.
Many of our responses stem from our fears for our kids. When my children, now in their early 20′s, ask me when I will stop worrying about them, I tell them that won’t happen until I stop breathing. I will always worry about them. It’s what parents feel. But there is a difference between your thoughts and feelings and your actions/reactions. This is where you can learn to be aware of your hot button and NOT act on it.
Assertive Communication – The Art of Being Heard
In communicating with others, it is important to be clear about stating needs, respecting oneself and maintaining boundaries. This is equally true in business or personal life. However, many people, for cultural, gender or temperament reasons, find assertive communication difficult. Yet, in communication, open lines are crucial to quickly avoid or resolve conflict or issues within the organization.
Organizations that do not foster open and honest communication have difficulty growing and innovating. Employee engagement can suffer when dissenting viewpoints are not heard which can lead to a series of problems like absenteeism and poor performance level.