Having Problems Reaching a Consensus

in your Room?

Follow these steps to help you communicate your

feelings and reach a COMPROMISE!

The Art of Communication

“The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information as by speech, signals, writing or behavior”

Use “I feel…” statements in order to effectively state your opinions, not “You make me feel…”

Always remain calm Be willing to take turns in communicating and

LISTEN

The Art of Communication

Effective Listening:

Acknowledge the other person’s point of view

Be willing to actively listen (i.e. engage yourself, lean forward, make eye contact, and summarize what you are hearing)

Compromise

“A settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands”

Compromise

Don’t be pushy or aggressive Don’t let feelings build up Listen, learn, and try to generate solutions

together through Effective Communication Remember the only person YOU can

change is YOU

References

Dictionary.comNipissing University Counseling Services

By Anne Baxter, Residence Don, Nipissing University

North Bay, ON Canada