Tip: Slow Everything Down

Slow down your experience of conflict.

People often rush under stress and fear. Individuals speak more quickly when uncomfortable. Imagine everything around you moving at half speed. Slowing down your speech enables you to listen to yourself, almost as if you were outside your own body.

You can pay more attention to the other person if you take your time. The resulting awareness opens a space to absorb not just the sound but also the honest message being sent. By reducing speed, you may help the other person slow down as well. Not rushing also encourages speaking without interrupting each other as much. You minimize the chances of miscommunication.