
Communicate with others
How we receive and share feelings, thoughts and information
These skills provide a foundation for many other social and emotional skills by allowing us to understand what others share with us – a friend messaging information about where to meet up, a partner sharing their feelings about a great day, a singer expressing heartbreak through their music – as well as being able to share ourselves with the world. This means expressing who we are in many different ways to effectively share what we know, how we are feeling, and what we are thinking with the people around us.
These skills are:
- Listen to and understand others
- Express ourselves
Why do these skills matter for a happy and healthy life?
Effective communication is essential for building strong relationships. Communication is about ‘give and take’, i.e. understanding others and sharing our own thoughts and feelings clearly. Being able to do both fosters empathy, trust and mutual understanding in our relationships.
By listening attentively and observing non-verbal cues, we can better grasp what other people want and need: this might be a friend explaining plans, a partner expressing emotions, or a colleague sharing important information. Listening to and having a shared focus with another person connects us to them. It helps people to feel understood and valued. It is also important to recognise communication differences and to appreciate variations in norms. We should take steps to be inclusive when communicating with others, especially with people whose style may be different to our own but just as valid.
Expressing ourselves is equally important, as it allows us to share our emotions, ideas, and needs with others. Whether through conversation, writing, or other forms of expression, being able to articulate what we are feeling or thinking helps us feel heard and validated. These communication skills enable us to connect with others, resolve conflicts, and collaborate effectively, which are vital skills in both our personal and working lives. Communication skills improve our social connections, which enhance our health and happiness.