541.904.0125

Speaker Listener Technique

If you are having difficulty talking through tough issues, try this helpful Speaker Listener Technique. You will find that both parties have an opportunity to be heard and understood and hopefully, experience improved communication.


Category: Communication Skills

Note: The original source Airmen and Family Resource Center no longer exists: 

Speaker Listener Technique

When it comes to conflict between two people, there are two common ways that they usually handle it:

Swallow their anger and don’t deal with the issue or spew out the anger.

In the end, neither approach is productive for the relationship and often leads to one or the other feeling unsafe to express themselves.

The Speaker/Listener Technique is a structured technique used to safely and clearly communicate with your partner (especially when tensions are running high).

The goal for the technique is for both individuals to feel understood by the other. It is not the solution to the problem or an agreement, but it can help lead to a solution.

When the conversation is getting emotionally intense and you feel that you are unable to calmly express yourself…take a time out. Agree to a time to come back and finish the conversation (preferably in the same day). Do something to calm down and then return to the conversation using the Speaker Listener Technique.

Read more about communication skills =>