5 keys to effective communication in marriage stems from Hubby and I realizing the importance of communication skills that allow each other to understand and be understood. Effective communication is the pathway of transferring love and respect from one spouse to another.
Communication is really a two-way process that involves sending and receiving information verbally or non-verbally. It requires developing learned skills to understand with clarity the information being transmitted and received. A safe environment must be established for effective communication and even for conflict resolution to take place.
Here are the 5 keys to effective communication in marriage that we are constantly putting to practice in our marriage:
Be Clear and Concise: This means conveying what you are saying clearly so that there is no misunderstanding of what you are communicating.
Ask Questions: Check that your spouse understands what you are saying. It’s also important to watch for your tone of voice and body language while asking questions to ensure that your verbal cues match your non-verbal cues.
Listen with your heart and not your head: Listen to your spouse’s replies and clarify if necessary. If your spouse is doing the talking, that means you are focusing on what is being said and reflect back to show that you have understood.
Be Open Minded: Men and women are different but sometimes we all fail to understand the context in which one spouse is speaking. Context is everything when it comes to understanding and being open minded is a way to show your spouse that you see them and hear them.
Be Intentional: Effective communication requires being intentional to actively involve both spouses into the communication process and see the process through. It’s important not to dominate the conversation because effective communication happens only when both spouses feel understood.
The 5 keys to effective communication in marriage establish an environment where communication is safe even when it’s uncomfortable. WELLthy couples know to give up their need for control and for always being right. They ask, they listen and they find a common resolution. Effective communication in marriage involves understanding and being understood without assumptions and without judgment which results to a healthy marriage founded on love and respect.
