Trying to raise kids has made me think a lot about what I am communicating, not only the words I choose, but the tone I use, and how my body language changes the meaning.
I think I over-estimate the power of words and underestimate both tone and body language. This is leading me to try a new four-step approach to communication.
1. Listen
2. Communicate as much as possible with just my body.
3. Ask questions
4. Speak
Point 2 is going to be the real test. I communicate so much with what I say, because words give a sense of solidity and clarity (however false this sense might be). But I also find that words can get me into trouble with myself. I regularly find myself saying, "Why did I say that?" or more often, "Why didn't I speak up and say this?"
So I'm going to focus on using my body to tell people what I want, need, and how I feel about them. We'll see what happens.
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