#Communication Skills Development

[jenny-osborne]

The Art of Effective Communication

Embarking on my journey to hone the art of effective communication, I discovered a transformative approach through the eyes of renowned communicators like Melina Leyva and M. A. Velasquez. The insights they offered reshaped my perspective, underscoring the need to deliver clear and concise messages. As I integrated their strategies into my own communication skills training, I found that a deep…

[vivsinkpot]

The Words We Don’t Say: Dialogue Should Reveal, Not Just Inform.

Every line of dialogue is a tiny window into who your characters are, not just what they need to say. In real life, people rarely say exactly what they mean. They dodge, hint, exaggerate, fall silent, or say one thing when they feel another. Your characters should, too.

Good dialogue isn’t about giving information cleanly — it’s about revealing layers.

For example:

A character could say “I’m fine,” while tightening her grip on the table so hard her knuckles go white.

He could say “You’re impossible,” but his voice is soft, almost laughing — meaning you’re impossible and I love you for it.

She could say “I hate you,” in the rain, soaked through, desperate — meaning don’t leave.

The surface words and the real emotions don’t always match. That’s where the tension lives.

That’s what makes dialogue linger.

Three quick tricks to deepen your dialogue:

1. Layer emotion under the words.

Surface: What are they saying?

Subtext: What do they really mean?

Conflict: What’s holding them back from just saying it?

E.g. Two best friends sitting in a car after one of them has announced she’s moving across the country.

She fiddled with the edge of her sleeve, staring straight ahead.

“You’ll forget about me after a week,” she said, light, almost laughing.

Surface: She says he’ll forget about her.

You’ll forget about me after a week. (The outward words are casual, a joke.)

Subtext: She’s terrified of being left behind, feeling abandoned.

I’m scared you don’t care enough. I don’t want to be alone. Please tell me you’ll miss me.

Conflict: She doesn’t want to beg him to stay — she’s too proud, too afraid he doesn’t feel the same.

She wants to stay close, to ask for reassurance — but fear of rejection makes her hide her true feelings under humor.

2. Use silence and body language.

• A pause can scream louder than a speech.

• A glance away can whisper I’m afraid better than a thousand words.

E.g. After her apology, it’s his silence — heavy, raw, unspoken — that says everything words can’t.

After an argument, she finally admits, in a shaking voice, “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

He says nothing.

Instead, he leans back against the wall, scrubbing a hand across his mouth, looking everywhere but at her.

The silence stretches between them — heavy, aching, almost unbearable.

When he finally does speak, his voice is hoarse: “I know.”

Breakdown:

Pause: His silence after her admission isn’t empty — it’s full. It screams his hurt, his struggle to forgive, his overwhelming emotions.

Body Language: Scrubbing his hand across his mouth, looking away — it all whispers I’m overwhelmed. I’m hurt. I don’t know how to say what I’m feeling.

Result: The tension between them becomes almost physical without a single extra word.

3. Let characters miscommunicate.

• Real conversations are messy.

• People interrupt, misunderstand, react to what they think they heard.

• That tension is pure narrative gold.

E.g. A confession turns into heartbreak when he misunderstands her words and walks away before she can explain.

She pulls him aside at the crowded party, her voice low and urgent.

“I need to tell you something — about us,” she says.

He stiffens immediately, crossing his arms. “Don’t bother. I get it. You regret everything.”

She blinks, hurt flashing across her face.

“No, that’s not what I meant—”

But he’s already turning away, anger burning in his chest.

She watches him go, the words she was really about to say — I love you — still caught in her throat.

Breakdown:

Miscommunication: He interrupts and jumps to conclusions, assuming the worst.

Realism: Conversations are messy; people hear what they’re most afraid of hearing.

Narrative Gold: Now, there’s heartbreak, regret, and a perfect setup for future emotional payoff when they finally untangle the truth.

Some brilliant examples to study:

‘Normal People’ by Sally Rooney — where miscommunication becomes the air between them.

‘Pride and Prejudice’ by Jane Austen — where formality and wit mask tenderness and fear.

‘Six of Crows’ by Leigh Bardugo — where silence says what pride refuses to.

Dialogue is not just a tool for moving the plot.

It’s a doorway into the heart of your story.

Open it carefully.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal Communication - encompasses a whole host of physicalized nonverbal cues that convey emotional states and complement verbal messages.

Types of Nonverbal Communication

There are many different forms of nonverbal communication. The main categories of nonverbal cues include:

Kinesics (or body movements): These include deliberate hand gestures and head movements like a thumbs-up or affirmative head shake. This is one of the most easily controllable of the nonverbal forms of communication.

Proxemics (or closeness/personal space): This is the measure of physical distance between people when they communicate. The standard amount of personal space expected by someone varies depending on setting and is somewhat culture-specific.

Posture: The way that you sit or stand and how open your body is to others around you communicates a lot about your attitude and emotional state.

Eye contact: This is one of the primary ways that human beings gauge interest or disinterest. Wavering eyes tend to communicate unease or even dishonesty.

Touch: Many interactions begin with an exchange of physical touch like a hug or a handshake.

Paralanguage: This category covers vocal qualities like loudness or tone of voice. Paralinguistic signals are any aspect of the sound of a voice outside a direct verbal translation of words being spoken.

Facial expressions: Facial expressions are one of the main indicators of someone’s attitude. An emotional expression like a frown or smile can be hard to consciously control.

Physiology: This category includes changes in body physiology like an increase in sweat or blinking rapidly. These are nearly impossible to deliberately control.

Tips for Understanding Nonverbal Communication

In your everyday life, there are many scenarios where an understanding of nonverbal communication can be used to your advantage. Knowing how to decode nonverbal cues can improve your communication skills in many ways. Here are some ways to improve your awareness of nonverbal cues:

Look for inconsistencies. Knowing how to spot signs of nervousness like fidgeting or evasive eyes is a great way to determine whether the person you are speaking with is trustworthy. If nonverbal behavior seems to run counter to the verbal messaging, it’s likely that the speaker is not entirely comfortable with what they are saying.

Be conscious of cultural differences. It’s important to be aware of the different mannerisms and physical gestures that are common in different cultures. Nonverbal interpersonal communication varies around the world. Don’t rush into judging the nonverbal cues you are picking up from someone from a different country or culture, as they may connote something entirely different in their culture.

Observe nonverbal signals holistically. It’s important to observe a variety of nonverbal cues that are being communicated to you. Just because someone has a sweaty brow doesn’t mean they are nervous. Similarly, a twitch in someone’s hand may just be an unconscious tic. Try to view nonverbal signals holistically in order to get a fuller picture of what a person is communicating.

The Importance of Understanding Nonverbal Communication

Understanding different types of nonverbal communication is important in order to control the messages you are communicating and to decode the emotional states of others. Here are a few of the ways understanding nonverbal cues can make you a more effective communicator:

To show interest: Nonverbal signals are a great way to communicate attentiveness and engagement to those around you. Controlling your posture and eye contact will demonstrate to others that you are interested in what they have to say.

To convey specific meaning: Many words have multiple different meanings, and the things we say can often be misheard. Learning how to complement your words with nonverbal communication can prevent misinterpretation and miscommunication.

To establish connection: Nonverbal communication is a great way to establish connection and trust. It’s no accident that many cultures see some sort of physical gesture like a handshake or hug as necessary in certain types of personal interactions.

To demonstrate authenticity: Your nonverbal communication goes a long way in establishing the authenticity of your feelings to those you are speaking with. Complementing your actual words with direct eye contact and confident posture will demonstrate to others that you are giving voice to your true feelings.

Nonverbal human communication involves many different parts of the body and can be either conscious or subconscious on the part of the communicator.

Some forms of nonverbal communication, like a handshake or head nod, are conscious actions meant to communicate something deliberately.

Other nonverbal forms of communication, like a nervous hand twitch or a quiver in the voice, subconsciously reveal emotional states that the communicator might not want shared.

Learning how to decode nonverbal communication and how to control all aspects of communication for yourself are great ways to improve your interpersonal skills.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[welcometothedaddyissuescult]

quite honestly if bruce doesn’t want to kill the joker, the best way for him to deal with him and ensure he never hurts anyone ever again is to build an underground one room bunker that’s soundproof and made of lead in the middle of the sahara or the amazon, drop his ass inside with like 100ish years worth of supplies, weld the door shut, and then walk away. he never tells anyone what he’s done and he never writes it down anywhere. that information lives only in his head because he knows no one will ever be able to torture that information out of him. i think the only person he might have to give a vague heads up to is superman. because if clark sees a underground bunker made of lead he’s definitely checking it out. so, i think bruce would just be like

bruce: hey, clark, just so you know there is an underground bunker in the middle of the amazon and it’s made of lead and it contains the most dangerous thing on the planet. it must never be opened.

and because it’s clark, he would be like: do you know what exactly is inside it?

bruce: yes.

clark: and to keep the world safe, i just have to do nothing and ignore it?

bruce: yes.

clark: okay.

eventually everyone would forget about the joker and on his deathbed, he’d tell dick about the bunker and dick would tell jason. together dick and jason would go and pry it open and just see a very old joker laying in his bed still laughing and without blinking jason would just shoot him in the head, they would reseal the bunker, leave, and never discuss it again.

but that will never happen because of bruce’s dogmatic and immovable morality. he will always catch the joker, he will always give him a trial, and he will always send him back to arkham. but if i got control of dc comics i would make him do this.

[brittanyearnestauthor]

Balancing Show and Tell in Writing

I’ve touched on this topic before, but in this post, I’ll dive deeper into the art of balancing show and tell. If you’re just starting out or looking to refine your writing skills, you’ve come to the right place!

Showing and telling is a fundamental aspect of writing because it forms the building blocks of an effective plot. When done well, it gives your story its purpose and immerses your readers in the world you’ve created. Below, we’ll explore what it means to tell and to show, along with tips for finding the right balance.

Examples of Telling

Telling statements are simple and factual, but they lack depth and engagement. For example:

- The wind blew.

- The grass grew.

- The sky changed color.

- That person smelled bad.

These statements merely relay information and don’t evoke much emotion or imagery. While they serve a purpose in writing, overusing them can make your story feel flat.

Examples of Showing

Showing statements, on the other hand, add vivid detail and context, helping readers visualize the scene and feel connected to it. For instance:

- The wind blew through my hair as I walked to work.

- The grass had grown a foot since my last visit—it was nearly up to my knees.

- The sky shifted from blue to a breathtaking mix of purple and pink.

- My teammate smelled of sweat after practice.

These examples provide depth and allow readers to experience the moment with the character. By showing rather than simply telling, you invite readers into your story and keep them engaged.

How to Balance Show and Tell

Balancing show and tell is crucial to your story’s success. Knowing when to show and when to tell will help you create a dynamic, compelling narrative. Here are some tips:

- Dialogue: When characters talk about past experiences, telling can work well—it’s often the natural way people communicate. However, if you want a character to help others visualize the moment, consider blending show and tell.

- Scenes: For characters experiencing something new or stepping into a different environment, showing is key to immersing your readers. Use sensory details and actions to paint a vivid picture.

- Efficiency: Sometimes, telling is more effective for moving the plot forward. For example, a brief, factual statement can help bridge scenes without bogging down the narrative with unnecessary detail.

Balancing show and tell might feel challenging at first, but as with any writing skill, practice makes perfect.

Show and Tell Used Effectively

Want to see show and tell in action? One of the best ways to observe this balance is through horror movies or books. These genres often rely on both techniques to build suspense and deliver emotional impact. For instance, a horror film might show a character nervously glancing over their shoulder (visualizing fear) and then tell us their internal thoughts (“Something didn’t feel right”).

Conclusion

Show and tell are essential tools for crafting memorable stories. Knowing when to show and when to tell can elevate your writing, making it more engaging and impactful. Remember, showing immerses your readers in the moment, while telling keeps the narrative focused and clear. Mastering this balance takes time, but with practice, you’ll find your rhythm.

Happy writing!

[tilly-tittle]

Rodimus seeing Crosshairs without his mask for the first time is traumatizing for both people— Roddy boy walks into the science lab, expecting Brainstorm, but spots Crosshairs hunched over a desk..

‘My boyf!!!’ Rodimus is excited and calls out, which freaks out Crosshairs and he turns around— completely forgetting his mask was off as he was really concentrated.

Rodimus, instinctively, seeing Crosshairs’ burnt ahh melted face, screams in terror and asks “OH MY PRIMUS ARE YOU OKAY WHAT HAPPENED??!??!?!” and scurries over—

Crosshairs is not so happy with the reaction, and he’s scared and embarrassed over how disgusting he must look to the picture-perfect Rodimus Prime. He turns around and covers his face, getting his mask back on. They get into a bit of a yelling match, with Rodimus not picking up on the fact that Crosshairs has had this scar for years before they met, and Crosshairs is getting uncharacteristically defensive and hostile, thinking the worst of how Rodimus thought.

Crosshairs yells at Rodimus to leave and Roddy leaves, bumping into a confuzzled Perceptor who has no idea why Crosshairs of all people was screaming…

And this continues somehow—

All Rodimus can think of is that Crosshairs is hurt and he needs to help and why won’t he let him help just tell him how he can help

Crosshairs is panicking cause he’s hideous and obviously Rodimus hates him now cause if that wasn’t a look of abject horror what was??

So he tells him to leave and Rodimus does so cause he loves him but omg he’s done it again Crosshairs wants nothing to do with him now, Roddy what have you done? Why do you ruin every good thing for yourself

And Rodimus and Crosshairs stew in this for a while because they both don’t want to see the other again but Rodimus does eventually break the stalemate again (because he feels guilt, because he can’t keep avoiding apologies) and they both realize that they were scared of each other hating them

They talk it out (cause that’s the healthy thing to do) and they both learn things

Like how Rodimus has his own scars, though most erased by the matrix (like remember how Megatron shot him with his fusion canon and killed him? Yeah not a trace and now Megatron is his co-captain, funny how that happened anyways-) he sometimes misses them cause some were the last trace of Nyon that he had and no matter how painful some were it meant he survived

So he loves Crosshairs’ scars actually, cause they are a part of him and Rodimus loves him and please don’t leave me

And Crosshairs is like if you’d let me I’ll never leave

And aaahshvxnsnsna I’m gonna cry

[thepersonalwords]

Sometimes we meet folks who appear rather plain, yet when they speak from a heart of service, love, compassion, and wisdom, they instantly become respected favorites.

Susan C. Young, The Art of Being: 8 Ways to Optimize Your Presence & Essence for Positive Impact

[thepersonalquotes]

To call certain people, such as your boss, teachers, professors, doctors, your parent’s friends, etc. by their first names might be considered disrespectful. It is best to err on the side of caution until you know what is appropriate.

Susan C. Young, The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact

[quotelr]

When manipulation flutters around everywhere, neither pull nor push anyone. Just do one thing - don't trust anyone!

Ashish Patel

[theglowsociety]

New Skill — Master Something New in 90 Days

Learning a new skill in 90 days is both a challenge and an incredible opportunity. It’s a chance to expand your horizons, build confidence, and unlock potential you didn’t know you had. Whether it’s learning to code, mastering a new language, or picking up an instrument, the 90-day framework gives you enough time to make real progress while maintaining focus. Success in this journey requires intention, consistency, and a willingness to embrace the process.

In the first 30 days, focus on building the foundation. This is the exploration phase, where curiosity and commitment collide. Start by clearly defining what skill you want to learn and why it matters to you. Is it for personal growth? Career advancement? Or simply the joy of learning? Clarity will fuel your motivation when things get tough.

Break your skill into smaller, actionable steps. For instance, if you’re learning a language, focus on the basics—common phrases, pronunciation, and grammar rules. If it’s photography, spend this time understanding your equipment and practicing composition. The goal is to build a strong foundation, not to master everything at once. Dedicate time each day to practicing. Even 30 minutes of focused effort can add up to significant progress over 90 days. Consistency is more important than intensity at this stage.

During the next 30 days, transition into the development phase. Now that you have the basics down, it’s time to push yourself further. Identify gaps in your understanding and focus on improving those areas. If you’re learning an instrument, this could mean working on more complex songs or techniques. If you’re coding, start building small projects that challenge your skills.

Seek out feedback wherever possible. If you’re working with a mentor or teacher, ask them to critique your progress. If you’re self-taught, compare your work to high-quality examples or use online forums to connect with others who share your goals. Feedback is crucial for identifying areas of improvement and avoiding stagnation.

At this stage, variety is key. Incorporate different methods of learning to keep things engaging. Watch tutorials, listen to podcasts, read books, or join communities centered around your skill. Immersing yourself in different perspectives will help you deepen your understanding and keep your momentum strong.

The final 30 days are all about mastery and refinement. This is where the skill starts to feel more natural, and your focus shifts to improving performance and polishing what you’ve learned. If you’ve been writing, create a final project, like an essay or short story, to showcase your progress. If you’re learning a language, challenge yourself to hold a conversation with a native speaker. Push your limits and measure how far you’ve come.

Set aside time to reflect on your journey. What worked well? What challenges did you overcome? This reflection helps solidify the skill in your mind and gives you confidence to continue growing beyond the 90 days. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Acknowledge the discipline and effort it took to get here.

Throughout the 90 days, adopt a growth mindset. Understand that mistakes are part of the process, not signs of failure. Every misstep is an opportunity to learn. Stay flexible in your approach, and if something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to pivot. Surround yourself with resources and people that inspire you to keep going.

By the end of 90 days, you’ll have transformed curiosity into capability. More importantly, you’ll have proven to yourself that you can achieve meaningful growth with dedication and effort. Learning a new skill isn’t just about the skill itself—it’s about the confidence and empowerment you gain along the way. Embrace the process, and you’ll come out on the other side with more than just a skill—you’ll have a new part of yourself.

[alsaurus-loves-dean]

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[un-pearable]

why are 99% of crochet animal patterns just vague blobs. cmon. i know we can do better as a community. have you seen the shit the national parks service put out? yeah, the NPS. there are grandmas on the frontlines of the most formally accurate critters this side of a 3D printer. we can do better than orb with two triangles sewn on. we can make a more accurate cat. that is NOT what a turtle looks like. step AWAY from the axolotl

[littlebellesmama]

Helping My Daughter Develop Critical Thinking Skills

My daughter just turned two, and every single day, she continues to amaze me. From the moment she could walk, she’s been showing signs of a sharp, observant mind. At just 14 months old, she already knew how to identify animals in pictures, especially during one of our favorite games. We’d hold up different cards—maybe a pizza, a cat, a zebra—and ask, “Where’s the pizza?” and without hesitation,…

[neurolearn]

✨ Hey! Just dropping this in case it lands at the right time for someone who needs it.

All resources are pay what you feel — even if that’s £0. No catch, no guilt. 🫶🏻

Everything I make is shaped by real-life stuff we’ve lived through (or are still figuring out!) as a neurodivergent family with four teens at home. The workbooks and mini-courses are designed especially with ND minds in mind — especially teens, but honestly helpful for anyone.

Topics include:

• Coping skills & emotional regulation

• Unmasking & identity

• Social communication

• Self-understanding & autonomy

…with more being added every week.

I’m also home educating one of our kids, so there’ll be ND-friendly learning resources coming soon too.

Take a look here:

👉 neurolearners.gumroad.com

🧠🌈💬 Reblogs are always appreciated, especially if you know someone this might help.

[kazeemmustaphadigitalagency]

UNLEASH YOUR BUSINESS POTENTIAL Believe in yourself and your abilities. Take control and create your own opportunities. Don't let fear or doubt hold you back. With determination and hard work, you can achieve greatness. Unleash your business potential today and start achieving the success you deserve! Remember, success is within reach. Believe, take control, and unleash! You got this