For many of us, speaking with clarity can be a challenge. When conveying our ideas, it seems like something always comes out slightly off. How often do we have a conversation with a spouse or a friend, and walk away feeling like something was lost in translation?
Author Emmerson Eggerichs sets out to help us all better communicate with those around us by focusing on four simple principles: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it clear?
Easy, right? Not so fast.
This updated version starts with a self-assessment, designed to highlight trouble areas in our communication. Then communication mistakes are organized into clusters and addressed individually using Biblical principles and real-life examples. Eggerichs concludes each section with a checklist for better communication, listing several questions created for self-reflection.
Emmerson Eggerichs has long been a favorite author in this house. His books on marriage and family have vastly improved our communication and helped us set healthy boundaries in our relationships. This book is well in line with his other writing. Speak Your Mind does an incredible job of humbly pointing out communication mishaps and gently correcting them. It even addresses issues like being vague so as not to hurt someone's feelings. Eggerichs shows how something seemingly innocent can go on to cause more misunderstandings and consequences, all of which could have been avoided with better communication skills. This is an excellent book, and I look forward to getting a hard copy so as to make notes as I learn to improve in my own communication.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
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