Mel Schwartz, LCSW

Communication Is the Heartbeat of Relationship

If communication is indeed the heartbeat of relationship, it’s little wonder that most relations are on coronary care. Once again we are confronted with another absurd reality. Our culture deprives us of the most fundamental education that we require to succeed in our relationships. Learning the subtleties and nuances of meaningful and effective communication are the cornerstones of successfully relating.

In effective communication, which incidentally is a very rare event, we need to first establish a shared meaning around the words, constructs and ideas that we are discussing and then further that meaning in a coherent flow of dialogue. Such a skill set enables relationships to thrive, businesses and organizations to be more productive and nations to create and sustain peace. What could possibly be more essential?

Shared Meaning

We take for granted that our words convey exactly what we intend them to. This is a particularly misinformed assumption. I have observed that upon deeper scrutiny, the words, let alone the concepts, tend not to be received in the way the messenger intends. By the time a few sentences have passed, we may have a totally missed communication. How often do we pause and considerately ask the other what they mean by the word or words they are using?

Although this problem is more glaring in confrontational discourse, it impacts amicable conversations as well. “You don’t know how to be intimate,” she exclaims. He retorts, “I don’t know how to be intimate? You’re so angry and cold who would ever want to be intimate with you?” In the following minutes this couple is off to the races, pushing buttons and hurling invective.

They are arguing around the word ‘intimate.’ Yet, no one has bothered to share or inquire what intimate suggests. She might be referring to emotional intimacy; he might be thinking of sexual intimacy. This is a common disconnect. Yet the problem runs deeper. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they are fighting about whether he can or cannot be emotionally intimate. Have they ever discussed the concept of emotional intimacy and reached a shared meaning? This would be most unlikely.

How can we discuss or argue the virtues of something when we are speaking differing languages? When we seek to learn a new language, we must first understand what the word means when it is translated into our native language. That said the subtleties and nuances might still be different, so we need to come to appreciate these differences to communicate well. Yet, we don’t bother to discern those more subtle differences when we both speak the same language. We assume the words have the same meaning for each of us. They ordinarily don’t.

Coherent Communicating

Let’s move this couple into the art of coherent communicating. His more proper response to her accusation might be to inquire as to what she means by the word intimate. This would require that his button not be pushed in a reactive and defensive manner, and that he respond in a balanced and sensible way. After all, his partner is upset with him. Why not find out what is truly troubling her? If he doesn’t fully appreciate what she is feeling and trying to communicate, how can they ever move to resolve the emotional upset? So, in this instance, he might elect not to be right, not to prove her wrong, and try to comprehend what is stirring her upset. A more educated response might sound like, “Yikes, that feels hurtful. Please tell me what you mean by intimate and how you feel I’m failing you?” That response might actually foster a generative discussion instead of breaking down into yet another meaningless argument.

Of course, the problem lies with her as well as with him. He’d have to be very far along in his shared meaning and dialogue education to be able to reflectively inquire as to her meaning rather than simply react. To further the possibility of meaningful conversation, she might have begun with, “I’m really feeling sad and shut down that you don’t share your more private thoughts and feelings with me. I feel like we’re strangers just going through life together but not really connecting. Do you feel that same about me?” Imagine how differently that conversation might flow.

Language only represents thoughts, beliefs and experiences, and should not be taken as a literal or objective reality.  Words don’t mean the same thing to all of us. In fact, they ordinarily evoke differing connotations based upon each individual’s experiences.  We often end up in disagreements without clarifying what it is that we’re arguing about. Just consider the confusion around the word ‘love.’ One person says to the other, “I love you.” The other responds, “No you don’t.” Are they speaking of loving one another or being in love: Eros? Is anyone clarifying? Ordinarily we aren’t.

In the Greek language there are numerous words for love. The Greeks clearly appreciate the myriad nuances to this word. We need to take the time to illuminate and appreciate what the other truly means by the word. What sense does it make to argue about whether you are intimate or loving if we’re talking about two different things? We must look beyond the word – the label – and find shared meaning in our communications.

When we ask one another what the word or concept means, we are in fact being very intimate and respectful. Taking the time to inquire as to what the other is truly intending to communicate honors the exchange. Sharing meaning is a precursor to an intimate exchange and opens the doorway to genuine dialogue.

To be informed of Mel’s upcoming seminar on communication or to download the audio version of the talk, send us an email.

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Podcast #124: The Five Percent Rule and Other Ways to Get Past the Argument

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db

I absolutely agree with you. In my opinion, communication is a learned skill. Something you learn through time. When very young, late teens through even early 30’s, communication skills are not experienced to the point of understanding what they are. Also, through the communication process, each person involved must listen to each other to form an understanding of all being said; and must also realize that some sacrifices may have to be made in order to keep the relationship going. It’s really hard to do in a world that advertises and promotes greed, materialism, and that “the grass may be greener………… “.

Matthew Selznick

Well said.

Rita Iagoe

I agree in part with DB, however, I do feel that it is imperative that our children are taught the art of good communication from an early age, if not at least in senior school. I work with separated parents and the most common cause of broken relationships is lack of or difficult communication. Being open and honest can only come about by being able to “know” how to be open and honest, and this is not inherent in humans it is a learned process.

Matthew Selznick

Rita, I’m in absolute agreement. This must be an integral part of our education, and the earlier age the better.

db

I agree. And with that I have raised my daughter to express her feelings, emotions, etc. even if it meant yelling at me. I wanted her to express whatever she felt, whatever she needed to express; so that she can communicate in whatever way she needed at the time. It worked. Today, she will talk with me, tell me about her fears, her thoughts, etc. We have a great bond. Something I was never able to do as a child. So, with that said….I hope that she can take it a step further in her relationships with others.

Vishal V Kale

Nice article… very pertinent

Vishal
reflectionsvvk.blogspot.com

Matthew Selznick

Glad you enjoyed!

Consolate

Thanks Mel for this interesting article on communication and relationship. It reminds me of what I have read in Gary Chapman (The five love languages) and John Gray(Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus), and I totally agree that communication is the heartbeat of relationship, be it in a couple or between colleagues in a professional organization. But my concern is how to make people (the spouse, the colleague or the manager) really aware of this and willing to apply communication (the effective one) as the simpliest solution to peaceful and enriching relationships. I think that training and all kind of methods/tools to explain how to effectively communicate are not sufficient to make people decide really to improve. On my view, some of the obstacles are lack of effective listening or of a willing-to-learn attitude; the presomption (from many) that “I know what is communication all about (as a concept), and so, I know how to effectively communicate or improve my way of communicating”; and/or the leasiness/reluctance to do introspection and start personal change (some people I know found these thoughts on personal change “too philosophical” or “idealistic”, and hard to capture (and/or apply) . Do you have any suggestion as of how to overcome those obstacles and hence boost up the change process? Thanks, Consolate

Matthew Selznick

Hi Consolate,
I’d begin by having a dialogue around the word communication. Ask the other what they mean by the word, then share what you mean. No right or wrong, just a shared inquiry. You might want to read my post on “Why is it so important to be right>”

Larry Kessler

Thank you Mel. I’m always amazed how after arguing with someone for several minutes, I finally realize that we are not talking about the same thing, that the meanings attached to our words are very different. The arguing then stops when I try to find those meanings. A writer must be very aware of how the meaning of a certain concept that is so clear to himself may evoke completely different meanings in his audience. What a well-written blog. I hope you get my meaning.

Matthew Selznick

Hi Larry,
Yes it can be such a frustrating experience. We can avoid it perhaps by choosing not to react, but to inquire. You might enjoy reading my article, “What Informs your Belief?” Its on my blog at blog.melschwartz.com

Steve McKenzie

Thanks, Mel
Such a simple suggestion but so very powerful! One of those “Of course…why didn’t I think of that!?” moments. I assume one could go even further. Even if I was pretty sure I knew the meaning of the word being used by the other person, why not still ask what they mean and allow them to go deeper before answering/defending?

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