The Rules of Honest Communication for Better Relationships

1. Direct eye contact when speaking/listening. Someone not looking? Free repeat.

2. 5 interruptions equals an immediate five minutes of silence

3. No one ENDS the conversation. Either both parties feel heard, or an appointment is made to continue speaking at a later date.

4. Sentences which begin with untruths or assumptions are not allowed and must be restated/reworded without the untruths or assumptions.

5. Person A talks about what they want and Person B repeats it in order to make sure it’s understood.Then vice versa.

6. “I feel” statements must be based on actual feelings. “I feel like you’re not listening” isn’t a feeling. “I feel hurt/sad/confused/etc” IS a feeling.

All of these rules always make things better for everyone.