Session Three
Communicating Well
Communication is the engine of every marriage relationship. And like all engines, it has to be properly maintained in order to work the way it’s intended. Couples that build healthy communication habits are capable of navigating just about any challenging circumstance.
The goal is to build habits that influence every level of communication—especially those that are unique to a marriage relationship. There are two things you need to do to communicate well:
- Listen to understand (this is called active listening).
- Speak to be understood (this is called assertiveness).
The key to making these techniques work well is safety. Your goal over time should be to become the safest person on the planet for your spouse. Being intentional about communication is critical for every marriage. Get in the habit of scheduling time to connect on a daily, weekly, and annual basis. Couples that are intentional about communication have invested in the engine that will drive their marriages toward success over the long haul.
