Rule 15: In marriage, effective communication is paramount.
Effective communication in marriage is critical. One must understand that two people are different, and therefore they are going to see things differently. You must listen to what’s being said for you to understand the different perspectives. You have a problem when one person wants to force the other to see things their way. Most marriages end up in divorce because two people are unwilling to take the time to listen to each other. Clear and concise communication is paramount.
A perfect example of effective communication is when two people work in different industries, and one comes home and tells the other about their day. The important thing is to not try to compete with each other’s day but to listen and try to understand what they are going through. There may be a chance to share your experiences on your day, but remember that it’s their day and their story.
The running joke is do you know the difference between an elephant and a loaf of bread. If your answer is ‘I don’t know’ then you say ‘I’ll never send you to the store for a loaf of bread’. This is an example of ineffective communication because two different meanings conflict. All too often, people assume that others know what they’re talking about. But to ensure clarity, you can’t assume anything.
The best food for thought that I could offer would be to learn to listen to what’s not being said as well as what is said.