Open Communication - A Life Values Power Combo
Listen with Care, Connect with Compassion and Speak with purpose.
Open communication isn’t just about the words you say, it’s about being available to listen, and tuned-in to respond in a meaningful way.
Healthy communication in relationships can be especially challenging, and is one of the most common ‘trouble spots’ couples have when they get in touch with me for Couples Counselling.
A lot needs to ‘go right’ to experience the benefits of ‘open communication’ and this Power Combo has been created especially to help you pull together the building blocks to make it happen.
This Combo underpins a mix of mindsets, attitudes, behaviours, and ‘mental models’ to help you practice open communication, and enjoy more rewarding conversations with better outcomes for a healthy and loving relationship.
There’s More Layers to Communication than Meet the Eye
Why is it so complex?
For example – speaking is just one part of communication. To help make your message heard we need to go beyond the words you say, and dive into things like:
- the emotional tone behind what you say.
- the body-language and openness you bring.
- the safety you create for each other.
- the timing.
- the underlying intentions at play.
My Open Communication set inside the Life Values Virtual Deck is designed to help you think about these things, and many more – so you can show up as a great listener and effective communicator in your relationship.
Click here to view the Open Communication Power Combo now. Inside this specially crafted set you’ll find 17 Life Values to peruse including:
- Approachable
- Availability
- Awareness
- Clarity
- Courage
- Curiosity
- Empathy
- Honesty
- Patience, and more.
This set can help you pin point what you might be missing, and help you unearth helpful behaviours or routines, that can make a real difference in your communication and relationship.
For example, if you’re often quick to become defensive, and have difficulty lowering your guard – even when things are fine, you might need to tune into values like ‘Approachable’, Trust, and Calm, amongst others to help you practice lowering your defenses while still feeling safe.
Another one, If you’re generally a ‘closed book’ and struggle to open up emotionally and tend to sweep things under the rug, avoid conflict, and hope things will blow over – rather than speaking up – you might gravitate toward helpful values like Courage, Patience, Curiosity, Acceptance, and Honesty.
These values will help you express yourself kindly and authentically.
What This Special Set Helps You Explore
Use the Open Communication set to discover how you could be a better communicator. Ask yourself questions like:
- How approachable am I when we talk?
- Do I really listen, or do I jump to conclusions?
- Do I express myself clearly?
- Do I assume my partner should just know?
- Do I bring curiosity or criticism?
- What usually happens when we’re having a tough conversation?
Communication is a huge topic, but this set helps you get to the core of what makes you a great communicator. Exploring the values and making some changes will help you enjoy a shared emotional experience with your partner, rather than airing another long list of complaints!
Why It’s Useful
When communication is blocked, corrosive or non-existent things can fall apart quickly in your relationship. Left unchecked a range of unhealthy things appear between you including:
- Low self esteem,
- Depression, sadness
- Feeling unheard, misunderstood
- Closed off, reactive, fighting to win
- Unwavering tension, walking on eggshells
- Avoidance, unhealthy habits, stress, and anxiety
- Anger, outbursts, circular arguments, confusion and inner-conflict.
It’s clear to see there’s a lot at stake – and surprisingly most of us just ‘go with the flow’ and don’t spend any time or effort actively working on ‘how to be a better communicator’.
What difference could this make in your relationship?
Even a few small changes between you could make a world of difference.
Top benefits couples with healthy open communication experience include:
- More peace and tranquillity in the home – with less arguments and door slamming.
- More feelings of calm, thanks to a kind connection between you – with less stress and tension you can relax, and avoid ‘plotting your next move’.
- More honesty and trust, with a safe space to speak up – so you both feel heard, and better understood, creating a sense of respect and belonging – instead of the old blame game, and passing the buck.
What would your relationship benefit from most?
After exploring the set, try the simple 5-minute reflection exercise below.
A Short 5-Point Reflection Exercise (5-10 Minutes)
Reflection is where real change begins. Exploring the values in this Power Combo builds awareness of how you communicate, but it’s through deeper reflection that those insights turn into growth and action.
Taking a few moments to consider these questions and explore what comes up, helps you turn profound insights into everyday practice. This is how values support new behaviours, and connection, helping you have better conversations, deeper understanding, and being on the same page more often.
Open Communication – Reflection Exercise
View the Open Communication Power Combo Set and take a few quiet moments to reflect on these questions.
You can do this on your own, or take turns sharing your thoughts with your partner.
Listening: When my partner speaks, am I truly listening to understand their experience? Or am I already forming my response? What helps me feel more present and attentive?
Honesty: Is there something important I’m not expressing clearly or honestly right now? What might help me share it in a calm and respectful way?
Availability: How emotionally available am I during conversations? When do I tend to withdraw, distract myself, or shut down… and why?
Kindness & Patience: What would it look like to bring more patience, calm, or kindness into my tone and voice, especially during difficult conversations?
Curiosity: Instead of assuming or defending, what questions could I ask that would help me understand my partner more deeply?
