5 Communication Mistakes that Could Ruin Your Relationship

Lisa Franchi November 25, 2013

There’s no doubt about it – communication is critical to any kind of relationship, whether it’s between couples, families, co-workers, etc. Issues with communication are often the reasons for disagreements and serious conflicts. Whilst some faulty communication habits are intentional, most are done unconsciously and are obtained from poor habits we learned from others.

Check out the following common communication habits that often lead to relationship issues and see which one(s) you are guilty of.

Sarcasm

Being sarcastic is sometimes funny, especially if you are expressing your thoughts and opinions about public issues like the government, economy and the like. But when given to someone you love, sarcasm could be very emotionally painful for the other person.

Bickering

“You said this”, “No I didn’t!”, “Yes you did.”, and the bickering continues. When trying to resolve an issue, it is not important anymore who said what or who did what. Couples should give more focus on what can be done at this moment to address the problem and what can be done in the future to avoid having the same issue again.

No one is apologising

It takes lots of humility and compassion to accept our mistakes and say sorry to the ones we’ve hurt. But it’s one of the secrets to a lasting relationship. A person who doesn’t know how to apologise, or chooses not to, will always have problems establishing a much closer relationship with others.

Uncalled for facial expressions

The way we respond, verbally or through body gestures, has a huge impact on the way the other person receives the message we intend to deliver. Rolling eyes, pouting lips, and snapping are just some of the many habits that often lead to communication issues. When having a serious talk or conversation with your partner, you want to be as focused and attentive as possible and avoid gestures or expressions that convey resistance, boredom or objection. If you need to rebut the other person’s statement, let him or her finish first and say your sentiments through words so your partner would understand and not judge you.

Arguing to win and prove your point

Every time you communicate with your partner, whether it’s a casual talk in a coffee shop or a stressful closed-door argument, you want to identify what your purpose is. Is it to prove your point and insist that you are actually right and he or she is wrong? Or is it to find the best possible resolution for the problem at hand? Is it to insert more troubles to your relationship or develop a deeper connection with your partner?

Arguments and conflicts are part of any relationship. But with the right communication skills, we can actually turn these challenges into opportunities for establishing a stronger and lasting relationship with the ones we love the most. By being aware of our communication habits, we can do something to avoid those that could ruin our relationship, maintain those that can contribute to its success, and work out the areas that need improvement.