Statistically the odds are good that there is not a single person reading this (or any of their friends) who has not tried at one time or another to change their partner. Whether you are still with the partner you tried to change is not relevant – that you tried to change them is. Human beings like to be right, it validates everything from our intelligence to our sense of self-worth; pretty powerful stuff. But what if you being right means your partner has to be wrong? Where does that leave them?
Join Ovation Communication Experts Jan Bailey and Shona Welsh (OvationSpeakerTraining.com) along with Counseling Therapist Kimberly Schaschl in a candid conversation about communicating well in the close quarters of Covid isolation. Some days, as you, your partner, maybe your kids and even the family dog struggle to find some individual space, it may feel like you are all on opposing teams; but like it or not, you are in this together. In the face of stress coming at us from multiple fronts, it can certainly feel some days like we are in a constant battle for a life we used to know. People we thought we knew inside and out (including ourselves) are somehow changed as they struggle to maintain equilibrium.
Share on facebook
Share on linkedin
Share on whatsapp
Share on twitter
https://youtu.be/KDCD5h1vbG8
When the people we love are struggling our instinct is to fix them – and fix them often means tell them what to do. Your stress reduction strategy may be working swimmingly for you and ‘if only’ your partner would do what you tell him, it would surely work for him … or not. Human beings like to be right.
Despite the feeling that your home is shrinking (emotionally, mentally and physically) a dedicated safe space is a very healthy addition. Whether it is the kitchen table, or a quiet corner in the bedroom, a safe space is meant to be a no judgement zone where people can talk about their day, their fears or the challenges in their relationship.
As counsellor Kimberly Schaschl makes clear, this safe space conversation takes practice, but it is an excellent first step to acknowledging that ‘my way’ might not be the best way and we are all working through this time in our own way.
Subscribe
Sandbox has partnered with Ovation to present a series of videos which offer thought provoking conversation, a little laughter and some concrete tools to help you shift your perspective about how and why you communicate the way you do. In a time when physical distancing is a reality, it is more important than ever to feel as though you are able to clearly express your thoughts, fears and hopes. We all know that with face to face communication it is easy to be misunderstood – in times of heightened personal and professional strain and only virtual communication to keep many of us connected, occasional miscommunication is almost a given. Take this opportunity to join Ovation and their special guest, counselling therapist Kimberly Schaschl as they unravel some of the mysteries of effective communication.
In their highly interactive workshops, OVATION speaker trainers have helped countless individuals transform their ability to connect to their audience and deliver authentic and meaningful messages with impact. Now, more than ever, communication with some oomph is an essential skill. At a time when our emotions swing from overwhelmed to irrational, our ability to communicate effectively follows suit and it can be hard to remove the anger, frustration or even fear from our voice, let alone from our message … and that can have all manner of consequences.
Shona Welsh, BA, MCEd, CHRL, CCC is a communication and speaking expert who has won numerous speaking, writing and learning design awards. The author of several books and designer/facilitator of hundreds of international workshops in speaking and communications, she has held international senior executive positions over three decades. She teaches extensively about leadership, communications, and innovation with numerous universities and colleges.
Jan Bailey BA, MAEd is a communication and speaking expert who has designed and delivered hundreds of workshops internationally on public speaking, stage presence, on-camera presentations, and communication. Along with writing and producing a ten-part career development series of books, Jan’s 27-year career has involved extensive on-camera experience as a television host along with being a long-time professor of communications.
Kimberly Schaschl BA BEd M.Ed Psych is a counselling therapist who has worked in the field of mental health and education for over 30 years. She has a wealth of experience assisting clients from school age to adulthood on a wide range of mental health and life management issues. She is a registered member of the College of Licensed Counselling Therapists of New Brunswick.