Whether with friends, lovers, neighbors, family members or business associates, the bedrock of healthy relationships is always the same: honest, clear communication. Drawing on her years of experience as a relationship coach and a teamwork consultant to Fortune 500 companies, Susan Campbell shows readers how to drastically improve the quality of their everyday interations by relying on a simple, straight-forward approach to communication and letting go of their need to control the outcome. Practical techniques for dropping one’s defenses are offered, as well as a fresh new perspective on using intimate relationships as a form of spiritual practice. Other useful tools include seven statements designed to bring the reader’s awareness into the present moment, as well as handy communication-enhancing phrases and Campbell’s insights on the most commonly encountered problems.
Saved my marriage It sounds cliche, but it is the truth – Susan Campbell saved our marriage. My husband and I have talked with therapists and read lots of books yet we never were able to get past certain difficulties. Using the simple, honest suggestions in this book and in “Getting Real” (also by Susan Campbell), gave us the vocabulary and tools to begin the journey of getting more connected to each other. We have learned that assumptions about the other persons feelings are very often inaccurate while being present and honest about ourselves and being OPEN to the other is almost magical when practiced by two willing partners. This is a practice….it takes time…”Saying What’s Real” is a great start. I suggest reading it out loud together (and get “Getting Real” too).I highly recommend both of these books.
Practical, pithy, to the point. Having read Susan Campbell’s ‘Getting Real’ (which is one of my top self-help books I recommend to clients) I wondered whether this book could be as good or as insightful. In fact, I think it’s even better! Although reading ‘Getting Real’ kind of paves the way to being open to the shorter, more practical advice she gives in this new book.Her 7 keys for mindful, present communications are excellent and easy to understand – putting them into practice may take more time, but with practice and persistence they could really make any relationship more meaningful and rewarding. I will be recommending this book to couples in conflict especially – there are some very powerful tips here that I believe could really help any troubled partnership.
A must read! I came upon this book the hard way. I was raised in a family that rarely showed emotion and never talked about feelings. Although my former girlfriend tried several times to get me to talk about my feelings, I refused to do so and told her that was silly.After she left me, I tried unsuccessfully to win her back. That’s when I realized how terrible my communication skills were. I communicated the only way I knew how, which was usually either by attacking or by being defensive. Yet amazingly, until reading “Saying What’s Real,” I didn’t realize this. I just thought I was logical. After all, I could win any argument with her or anyone else.This book taught me that healthy communication is not about being right or getting people to do what we want. The author, Susan Campbell, makes the case that most communication comes from the (mostly unconscious) intent to control through manipulation, trying to impress others, lying so as not to hurt another’s feelings,…