Sit opposite each other with your partner, colleague or anyone you wish to improve your communication with. Agree who will be A and who will be B. A says something that you know is true, such as \u00abThe show we watched on television was interesting\u00bb or \u00abit's cold this afternoon\u00bb. In turn, B always responds by starting their sentence with the words \u00abyou mean that\u2026\u00bb and continues their phrase in a way that shows whether they have understood or not. The goal of the exercise is for A to say three yeses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A: \u00abI didn't like the food\u00bb
B: \u00abyou mean you never want to eat it again?\u00bb
A: \u00abno\u00bb
B: \u00abyou mean we need to change something in the recipe?\u00bb
A: \u00abyes\u00bb
B: \u00abyou mean it needed more salt?\u00bb
A: \u00abno\u00bb
B: \u00abyou mean it needed to be cooked longer?\u00bb
A: \u00abyes\u00bb
B: \u00abyou mean you want us to cook it longer next time?\u00bb
A: \u00abyes\u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep alternating roles for ten minutes. Then look for the new insights that most likely wouldn't have emerged if you hadn't done the exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, how do you feel about the prospect of using the question starting with: \u00abyou mean you want\u2026;\u00bb more in your daily life?\u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The skill of understanding others helps you build meaningful<\/strong>, authentic connection<\/strong> in your relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is one of the first foundational steps that lead a relationship to thrive.<\/p>\n\n