Recently,  I shared with you the importance of saying “Thank You” to colleagues, friends, and family and how you must be authentic when you say “thank you” in order for it to be truly meaningful.  Likewise, when you are giving someone constructive feedback or expressing a concern, you must be honest and straightforward.  I know it is not always easy, especially when you are a conflict-averse person.

Steven Gaffney recently shared on Virginia This Morning, “People never say what really needs to get said,” both at work and at home.  As a result, resentment or fear can build up over time, causing tension in relationships and keeping people from being less than their best selves. And I can completely relate to this.

Click on the image below to view the full interview, and then I invite you to take a moment and think about your own communication skills.  Are you sharing what needs to be said to the people who matter in your life? If not, why not? What is holding you back? Is it fear? What are you afraid of? How has it been working for you being this way? How deep and meaningful are your relationships?  Life is too short and too precious to not be living and expressing our truths.

When you have honest and open communication in your relationships, you have trust, respect, security, honor, and loyalty. And when you have all those things in your relationships, you can solve any problems that arise and handle any setbacks that come your way. Over the years, I have had quite a few falling outs in my business and personal life. Often, I am the one surprised and wondering: “If they had told me and I had known, all of the stress could have been avoided.” Well, we all learn and grow from those experiences. Most importantly, what can we change or do to make sure that all of our relationships are strong?

So think about the relationships in your life where an open conversation would make a true difference and help make that relationship richer and much more meaningful.  How about making the time to have that conversation today, tomorrow, or this weekend? Keep me posted :)