Active Listening
This nonverbal action, making eye contact and nodding, shows you are doing this while someone talks.
active listening / paying attention
Crossing your arms and avoiding eye contact often signals this kind of body language.
closed-off/defensive body language
This communication style involves clearly stating your needs while respecting others.
assertive communication
Finding a solution where both people give a little and both are somewhat satisfied is called this.
compromise
This term describes online behavior that is respectful and appropriate, like 'real world' manners.
netiquette
Repeating back what someone said in your own words to show understanding is called this.
paraphrasing (or reflecting)
This term refers to the tone, pitch, and speed of your voice, separate from the words themselves.
tone of voice
Starting a sentence this way, with these two words, helps express feelings without blaming others.
starting with 'I feel' (an I-statement)
Taking a few minutes to breathe or step away before reacting in anger is called this technique.
a cooldown/time-out (self-regulation)
Sending mean, threatening, or embarrassing messages online to hurt someone is called this.
cyberbullying
This term describes waiting for your turn instead of interrupting while someone else is speaking.
patience / turn-taking
Standing too close to someone during a conversation can violate this invisible boundary.
personal space
This word means giving in to others' demands even when it goes against your own needs or values.
being passive
This term describes trying to understand a conflict from the other person's point of view.
empathy (perspective-taking)
Text messages often lack this element of speech, making sarcasm or tone easy to misread.
tone of voice
Asking these types of questions, which can't be answered with just 'yes' or 'no', helps keep a conversation going.
open-ended questions
This term describes facial expressions, gestures, and posture that communicate feelings without words.
body language
This communication style involves demanding, blaming, or dominating others to get your way.
aggressive communication
A neutral third person who helps two people talk through a disagreement is called this.
a mediator
This term describes the gap in understanding that happens because texting removes facial expressions and tone.
miscommunication (context collapse)
This listening mistake happens when you're already planning your reply instead of truly hearing the speaker.
'listening to respond' instead of 'listening to understand'
When someone's words say one thing but their face or tone says another, this mismatch is called this.
a mixed message (incongruence)
This skill lets a teen turn down a request or peer pressure firmly but respectfully.
saying no (refusal skills)
This phrase describes focusing on the actual problem rather than attacking the other person's character.
attacking the problem, not the person
Before sending an angry text or post, experts recommend doing this to avoid regret.
pausing/waiting before you send (thinking before you post)