Have you ever felt frustrated because those who are the most important to you never seem to provide the validation or approval you want? For some, it’s one person that makes you feel you can’t ever do anything right, no matter how hard you try. For others, it seems like the whole world is against them. You might think back about how excited you were about tackling something new in the past, even though you were nervous you might not succeed. But you rocked it out and you felt

We’ve all found ourselves, at one time or another, trying to figure out when, or if, there’s a “right time” to talk to someone about a grievance, an idea, or just share something that’s been on your mind? Do you know that feeling? When you’re nervous about the other person's reaction and you want to approach them when they are at their most, shall we say, “positive and most receptive” frame of mind? There are, of course, some common-sense guidelines to follow when you shou

Is healthy conflict possible? Many of us have developed a higher aptitude for healthy avoidance rather than face the possibility of confrontation. We prefer our interactions to be calm, enjoyable, or at least pleasant. But, there are positive benefits to conflict that we may not be considering. One benefit to conflict is that it is often the precursor to positive change. It’s a symptom of friction that says something or someone’s needs aren’t being met. We’ve seen a lot of th

Do you know the difference between expressing empathy vs. expressing sympathy? Many people think they are one and the same, but they really aren’t. I was having a conversation with a friend who had just experienced an especially difficult family situation. I wanted to help her feel better, but sending a sympathy card just didn’t seem like enough. I wanted to do more. When we express sympathy to someone, what does that really mean? Is there a better way to communicate a deepe