People love to bitch, gripe, and complain, and most never learn how to do it in a way that can actually be heard. When I say heard, I mean delivered in a way that a partner can calmly and respectfully receive and respond to what is being said. It’s all in the timing, tone, and delivery of the message as to whether your words will be taken seriously and get the response you desire.

Surely all of us have experienced delivering a complaint in a way that got either zero response, an eyeroll, a laugh, repudiation, or a defensive diatribe that told us that getting anywhere with the person was not possible, at least in this moment. When people tell me they can’t communicate, this is what is happening, pure and simple.