Answer: I need the largest dose available!Thursday the churh staff attended a retreat/workshop on non-violent communication led by Loa Freeman of Sucess Naturally.
While I had been exposed to some of the very basics of non-violent communication while attending the Wilderness Awareness School , I will admit that I went into the workshop with a certain degree of apprehension. Most likely because I knew that my communication patterns have fallen into some not-so-healthy patterns.
But I have to say that for me the workshop was truly transformational. The entire morning I was thinking of interactions that I have had where I fell into defensiveness and closed pathways to clear and peaceful and positive communications.
Now, I am the kind of guy who can't remember 98 percent of anything unless I a) repeat it often and b) have some goofy way to remember what I learned.
So, yesterday I learned that when communicating with people I need some PEPTO!!
Posture --It is so important to non-verbal communication. It tells people whether I am really engaged or not.
Eye contact -- Again, it communicates engagement, validations, recognition. It show that I am focused on the person with whom I am speaking.
Pause -- Get your tongue off the top of my mouth and take a deep breath -- four-second inhale, four-second exhale. Remember to keep my ears/eyes open and my ego out.
Tone of voice -- It's not just what I say but how I say it that counts.
Open-ended questions -- (This was also called Request.) I will ask myself," Am I willing to ____ in this moment?" and I will ask others, "Are you willing to ___ in this moment?" This way we maintain autonomy.
Enjoy the pink stuff, and don't be afraid to remind me (non-violently, of course) to take my pink stuff, too!!!
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