Introduction to Affective Communication

Communication is a reflection of our perceptions and a fundamental pillar for building healthy relationships.

Through our words and tone, we reveal the respect or lack thereof that we have for others and for ourselves.

Effective communication not only serves to expand our network and foster mutual growth, but also to give and receive constructive feedback and establish healthy boundaries.

When a person is caught in toxic interactions, it may be due to past resentments or disappointments that manifest in harmful communication patterns.

Communication as a reflection of our perceptions

The way you communicate with others is a sign of how we perceive them, the care and respect or lack thereof you have for them and their needs, and the way you allow others to treat you reflects the respect you have for yourself.

Communication can be an amazing tool to grow your network, your connection with others, to foster mutual growth, provide constructive feedback, advocate for yourself and set healthy boundaries with others, or actually resolve issues you may have with them.

But if you're not looking for that in your interactions, then maybe you're wondering what you could be looking for that might be better than that?

Exploring Toxic Communication Patterns

Instead, what you're really looking for is the response that would be something like you may be resentful and betrayed by your past disappointments or experiences.

You have stored up some negative emotions in your life and now you are engaging in unhealthy communication patterns in the workplace or in your romantic relationships.

You may be controlling, blaming, criticizing, threatening, making others feel guilty, damaging their self-esteem, perhaps disrespecting them.

Or you may be on the receiving end of those patterns, but you're afraid of conflict, afraid to stand up for yourself.

So your coping mechanism so far is a compound that you comply with what others say, even when you don't agree with them, you became unable to say no and consequently you started doing more for others than you should have done, either at work or in your personal life.

How they manifest in the personal and professional realm

Communication can literally make or break our relationships.

The words you use can be great or they can demean the tone you use, it can feel confident or it can antagonize others.

Ultimately, this whole process can trigger defensiveness and compromise the sustainability of your relationships, or it can allow you to have healthy, ongoing reports based on a foundation of mutual peace and growth.

Summary

Communication is a reflection of our perceptions and a pillar for healthy relationships. Through words, we reveal respect for others and ourselves. Effective communication serves to foster mutual growth and to give and receive constructive feedback.

Harmful communication patterns, such as blaming, criticizing or threatening, often stem from past resentments or insecurities. These patterns can manifest themselves at work or in personal relationships, causing hurt and disrespect. Communication can build or destroy relationships.

To improve, we must learn to express anger constructively and resolve conflict. The goal is to set aside defensiveness and misunderstandings to build relationships based on a foundation of peace and mutual growth.