Category: Relationships & Communication

The simplest way to ease a conversation: seek to understand first, then reply.Duration: During the conversationWhen: In conflicts, important talks, with childrenHow it worksLet them finish: don't interrupt, don't build your answer inside while they speak.Reflect back: "Did I understand right that … matters to you?"Only then your own view, calmly and without blame.A calm self-help exercise,…

A tool that turns reproaches into understandable requests, feeling and need instead of attack.Duration: 5 minutes preparationWhen: Before tricky conversationsHow it worksDescribe the situation factually: "When …" (no "always", no "never").Name your feeling: "… I feel …".State your need: "… because … matters to me."Phrase a concrete request: "Would you be willing to…

An agreed stop signal before an argument escalates, so you can talk on calmly later.Duration: ShortWhen: When a conversation tips over and gets loudHow it worksAgree in advance on a neutral signal (a word or gesture) for "I need a break".Whoever gives the signal commits to resuming the conversation later, this is not running away.Calm down separately…