Communication is the key to healthy relationships? In conversation with Ms. Ujeena Dangol, the counselor in Swostishree Gurukul, we get to know more about communication and become better communicators.

  1. How do you describe effective communication?

 

Good communication is an important part of all relationships and is an essential part of any healthy partnership. All relationships have ups and downs, but a healthy communication style can make it easier to deal with conflict and build a stronger and healthier relationship. 

Effective communication helps to connect people that creates an environment where the exchange of thoughts, feelings, ideas lead to mutual understanding which helps the relationship to grow. In relationships, communication allows you to explain to someone else what you are experiencing and what your needs are. The act of communicating not only helps to meet our needs, but it also helps us to be connected in our relationship.

  1. What is the significance of communication in any relationship?

Communication is important in any relationship as it allows us to share feelings, opinions, and expectations. Communication is key for the development or maintenance of any relationship. When we communicate properly and explain to others what we are experiencing and what our needs are then it leads the relationship to move more smoothly. When we express ourselves to the people we feel comfortable with, that will strengthen the relationship more.

Better communication also leads to more trust and more trust leads to a beautiful selfless relationship.

  1. What could be the challenges of good communication?

People ignore uncomfortable communication, thinking that it will pass without being addressed. This type of thinking can lead to years of avoiding issues that are ultimately hurting the relationship. People often fear that if they dive deeper into their difficulties, things will get worse. However, it’s not true. If we try to communicate only on the surface level, that would create more confusion in the relationship. 

  • Lack of focus.

 We can’t communicate effectively when we’re multitasking. If we’re checking our phone, planning what we’re going to say next, or daydreaming, we’re almost certain to miss nonverbal cues in the conversation. To communicate effectively, we need to avoid distractions and stay focused.

  • Negative body language.

 If we disagree with or dislike what’s being said, we might use negative body language to rebuff the other person’s message, such as crossing our arms, avoiding eye contact, or tapping our feet. We don’t have to agree with, or even like what’s being said, but to communicate effectively and not put the other person on the defensive, it’s important to avoid sending negative signals.


 

  1. Is there a way that we can assess effective communication? How do we know if the communication is effective?

Effective communication means that we achieved the result we wanted to have as a result of this communication: inspire, convince, inform, persuade, etc. In other words, effective communication must have a goal.

Communication involves two main skills:

Listening and tuning in to your partner or audience.

Good communicators use 3D listening which means they are paying attention to how people perceive their messages, understand who they are speaking to, and establish a rapport.


 

  1. Does listening come under communication? If yes, how important is that?

Effective communication is less about talking and more about listening. Listening well means not just understanding the words or the information being communicated, but also understanding the emotions the speaker is trying to convey.

There’s a big difference between engaged listening and simply hearing. When we listen—when we’re engaged with what’s being said—we’ll hear the subtle intonations in someone’s voice that tell us how that person is feeling and the emotions they’re trying to communicate. When we’re engaged listeners, not only will we better understand the other person, we’ll also make that person feel heard and understood, which can help build a stronger, deeper connection between us.

By communicating in this way, we’ll also experience a process that lowers stress and supports physical and emotional well-being. 

  1. What could be the benefits of good communication?

It helps Strengthen Respect.

  • It Takes the Guesswork Out.
  • It Helps to Avoid Misunderstandings.
  •  It Builds Trust.

 


 

  1. Do you think social media has changed the way we communicate? Social media has changed the way we communicate, and also who we communicate with. It has given people the ability to communicate across geography, cultures, and languages creating an interconnected community. It has brought our attention to injustices in the world, the resiliency of the human spirit, tales of great courage, and mobilized movements. Social media has sparked movements across the country and started cultural conversations that are completely vulnerable and transparent such as the #MeToo movement, the mobilization of the Black Lives Matter movement, the Women’s March, March for Our Lives, etc. Social media is not only changing the rate at which we communicate, how we communicate, but also what we are communicating about.

     
  2. Why is it okay to communicate when you know it might cause some fights?

 

Healthy communication is the effective exchange of thoughts and feelings between people. It often involves people taking turns speaking and listening. The way we communicate with each other often determines how we resolve conflicts. If we use healthy methods of communicating, we are likely to find common ground even during a disagreement. This can help strengthen our relationship over time. you have to decide whether you need to be more direct or softly communicate, based on the kind of situation.

It's important to know how to approach healthy communication and how to adjust your style of communication-based on what the situation calls for.