Six understandings about communication that can change the world

The past week brought communication of conflict and crisis. I read news of human violence, learned about friends in difficult circumstances, and I had hard conversations. My mind was on high alert. As situations arose, I was one part anxious, one part awkward, and one part focused. Have you been there?Where I was directly involved (with my parents, with my colleague, with my client, etc.), I knew that my words would either increase peace or provoke hostility. The way that I responded to conflict, tension, and difficulty, would result in more unity or more division. Six key understandings helped me to respond in a way that improved the world around me. Perhaps you could apply these understandings to your challenges also.

Let's start with the understanding that, the way people relate to one another determines the degree of peace and unity within a community, organization or family. Communities, organizations and families cannot flourish if the relationships inside of them do not. To strengthen community, organization or family then, you have to start by improving how you relate to others.