Communication Terms
Active Listening
Fully concentrating, understanding, and responding thoughtfully to what someone is saying
Assertiveness
Expressing your needs and opinions confidently while respecting others
Body Language
Non-verbal communication through posture, gestures, facial expressions, and tone
Empathy
Understanding and sharing the feelings of another person
Feedback
Information about performance or behavior given to help someone improve
Miscommunication
Failure to communicate clearly, leading to misunderstanding
Non-verbal Communication
Communication without words (gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice)
Paraphrasing
Restating what someone said in your own words to confirm understanding
Rapport
A close and harmonious relationship with good communication
Tone
The attitude or emotion conveyed through voice or writing
Conflict Terms
Compromise
Agreement reached by mutual concession; each party gives up something
Confrontation
Direct challenge or opposition; addressing an issue head-on
De-escalation
Reducing tension or intensity in a conflict situation
Dialogue
Open and honest conversation between two or more people
Mediation
Intervention by a neutral third party to help resolve conflict
Negotiation
Discussion aimed at reaching an agreement
Reconciliation
Restoring friendly relations after a conflict
Resolution
Finding a solution or ending to a conflict
Stonewalling
Refusing to communicate or cooperate; giving someone the silent treatment
Tension
Mental or emotional strain; stress in relationships
Emotional Vocabulary
Defensive
Protective reaction when feeling attacked or criticized
Frustrated
Feeling annoyed or upset when things don't go as expected
Resentment
Bitter feelings about being treated unfairly
Triggered
Having a strong emotional reaction to something specific
Vulnerable
Open to emotional harm; willing to share feelings despite risk
Withdrawn
Pulling back emotionally; becoming distant
Why do we hurt the people closest to us the most?
The art of disagreeing without damaging relationships
When silence speaks louder than words in relationships
Digital communication versus face-to-face: what gets lost in translation?