Feeling understood.

Where did you learn your interpersonal communication skills? Were they specifically learnt, or just randomly collected through home, school or work? What if the interpersonal skills you learnt aren't overly effective? Perhaps you learnt them as a defense or coping mechanism at home. Perhaps you simply absorbed your parents’ skills, regardless whether good or bad. No matter how or where, one thing is for certain - you can't interact with others effectively unless you are aware of your own buttons that can get pressed, how they get triggered, why they get triggered, how to avoid them getting triggered, taking a good hard look at your beliefs and assumptions (which drive EVERYBODY'S thoughts). You see, most people's beliefs are formed when they're young, and once formed are generally never again challenged (they submerge into your subconscious mind).

Can you understand other people? Do you know how to actually listen to them and affirm in them what you've heard? Currently in our society, we are information and communication rich, with more ways to interact with people than ever before in the history of the world. But do you know that people today are feeling more lonely, misunderstood and isolated than ever before?

There is a huge unfulfilled need to be understood as people. When a person feels understood, they feel valued - someone has taken the time to hear their perspective. Here's a simple tip - being a good talker generally makes you a lousy listener, and thus a lousy communicator. Don't believe the lie that being good at speaking means you can communicate well with people. Effective communication is always bi-directional.