"I Statement" for Effective Communication
One of the skills that stood out to me during the IDG Path is “I Statements” for Effective Communication. There are times when I have been hurt or someone has said something that I did not feel comfortable with, and I choose to stay quiet about it. Then it starts to make the relationship between me and the other person awkward. Then the relationship between the other person and I start to slowly disappear.
I think that communication is really important in our daily lives such as work, school, and our relationships. As the path stated it “enables us to confidently address issues and minimizes conflicts”. Using "I statements" is a communication technique where individuals express their thoughts, feelings, and needs clearly and assertively.
You may be thinking “How do I use “I statements” to communicate?”. Well…in the path the formula for “I Statements” is as follows:
- Start with "I feel/felt" followed by an emotion word.
- Describe the specific behavior of the other person that triggered your emotion.
- Explain the reason behind your feelings without placing blame.
In what ways have “I statement” helped in resolving conflicts or misunderstands for you?
@bouncyMusic133
Yessss, makes all the difference in how we phrase and what we say, along with the tone and timings too, when it comes to a more assertive communication or confrontational conversation happening hehe.
Using the "I statements" is definitely game-changer, I feel (see what I did here lol), to express our feelings well without undermining or looking down upon someone else's plus a way to simply put across your feelings and thoughts without placing any blames or judgements on the other person.
Makes all the difference-
♤ "You are just unbelievable for ignoring me, it's pathetic how you make me feel always." ~~~ ♡ "I've been feeling ignored by you lately and it's making me feel quite disheartened and confused. Would you like to talk to me about this please?"
@Sunisahiningandsoareyou
thank you for responding to my forum post about the IDG path/course. I enjoyed reading your response and yes! It makes all the difference.
have a great one.
@bouncyMusic133 that was very helpful
@bouncyMusic133 I felt deeply lonely when my co-workers ignored me at work. They truly made me feel inferior when we're at the same level. And when I tried to express this they would shut me up and nothing would change.
I am a big advocate of the eye statement. It helps so much to not come across accusatory but rather expressing your feelings. Because then if they tell you you're wrong they are invalidating your feelings
@bouncyMusic133
I statement helps to take really good decisions at some points. ✨
@bouncyMusic133, they help so much. It feels less accusatory and helps the other person(s) understand how you feel, not how you think they feel.
@bouncyMusic133
"I statements" have been a real game-changer for me when it comes to resolving conflicts or misunderstandings. Speaking from my own perspective allows me to express myself honestly and openly without placing blame on others. It fosters a sense of understanding and empathy, creating a space where both parties can communicate effectively and find common ground.
By using "I statements," I've found that conflicts become less confrontational and more constructive. They encourage me to take ownership of my feelings and experiences, while also encouraging the other person to do the same. This approach promotes mutual respect and encourages healthier communication patterns.
I've also noticed that "I statements" help to de-escalate tense situations. When I express myself calmly and assertively using "I statements," it often encourages the other person to respond in a similar manner. This shift in tone can make it easier to find solutions and work through disagreements together.
🤍
@bouncyMusic133
By using "I statements," I can feel myself taking ownership of my personal feelings. In response it has been encouraging when I’ve seen the other person do the same. I’ve found this approach to be a more respectful, straight forward to resolve any issues that perhaps if left unsaid, would have festered.
🌹