Thinking Out Loud

Interpersonal conflict is often perpetuated by each person trying to convince the other: “I’m right, you’re wrong.”

I’m right, you’re wrong — at first glance this looks like a win/lose proposition, but actually it’s a lose/lose. I’m pretty certain I’ve said to every single couple I’ve ever counseled, “You’re both trying very hard to convince each other that you are right.” Followed by, “When you find yourself in convincing mode, stop the conversation. It’s not going anywhere.” In the counseling office this seems obvious. In the heat of conflict it’s easy to lose sight of this truth. Read More

Recently I talked about literacy skills with a school librarian friend and the new program her school is initiating. It is yet another program to supplement the several programs already in place to help kids learn to read and write. Good, I thought, and then asked, “What about being more effective with verbal communication? Is there any effort to teach kids about interpersonal communication?” Read More