Communicate with grace. Listen for the spoken & unspoken. Speak with an open heart.
The Power of Communication
Communication is both art and skill. Therefore, the ability to write and speak messages in a clear and articulate way can be profound. Likewise, it can be used for the purpose of inciting a crowd to riot, or in contrast to protest for peace. Similarly, it can sway the people of a country to turn on their own friends & neighbors, orconversely bring hope when all feels lost.
Communication Matters
In short experience has taught us that words matter. Nevertheless, many people today avoid face to face conversations. Subsequently, verbal conversations seem to be diminishing and in contrast we often message through text or email meant for brief succinct notes thus losing the richness and depth of face to face connection.
Connection through Communication
However, people long for connection with others, people often say they are lonely but have a thousand friends on a social platform that they do not know. It is not surprising that our Emotional Bank Accounts are empty and people long for intimacy in their relationships. To illustrate almost 50% of all first marriages end in divorce, and the odds get worse for the second and third marriages. People are turning more and more to addictive behaviors for connection. In contrast to divorce addictive behaviors are on the rise globally (WHO), For example, studies indicate that roughly 47% of the U.S. adult population may experience maladaptive signs of an addictive disorder within a 12-month period. Our search for intimacy often leads to seeking fulfillment through false means.
Intimacy in Communication is Possible
However, almost universally when people have problems with others it is a lack of skills in the area of communication and connection. The fact that this is true is good news because although skill deficit is the problem, the gaining of need skills is the solution. The solutions is within easy reach because skills are attainable and easily learned. Especially if there is a desire to learn the skills versus blaming others short-comings. The skills can be easily generalized with intentional practice, and perfected over time. It is important to realize the skills we lack are not our human failings but often needed skills for an adult to navigate life but that we often have not yet learned.
Connection Found in Skilled Communication
Life in Progress is dedicated to assisting people in obtaining the skills needed for communication that result in intimate connection. You are invited to start where you are comfortable, and to grow at your own pace. We will be with you every step of the way.
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COMMUNICATIon
Communicative Competence
Communicative competence is the ability to use language effectively and appropriately in social situations, going beyond mere grammatical correctness. It involves combining linguistic knowledge with social, contextual, and strategic skills to achieve communication goals (e.g., negotiating, persuading) across various interactions.Â
National Institutes of Health (.gov)Â +2
Key components of communicative competence typically include:Â
Study.com +2
Linguistic Competence:Â Knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and phonology to form correct sentences.
Sociolinguistic Competence:Â Understanding how to use language appropriately based on the setting, topic, and relationship (e.g., formal vs. informal).
Discourse Competence:
 The ability to construct coherent, connected stretches of language, such as conversations, stories, or reports.
Strategic Competence:Â The ability to use verbal and non-verbal strategies to fix communication breakdowns (e.g., asking for clarification, rephrasing) or manage gaps in knowledge.Â