How we respond to each other in good times and bad is at the heart of human relationships. Our capacity to share both positive and negative emotions and experiences is a marker of the quality of our connections with each other, but can be challenged by the stressors we encounter as we move through a fractious and pain-filled world.

Expressing both positive and negative emotions must be done constructively so that relationship partners can learn and grow from their mutual sharing. In this talk, I will explore what “constructive” communication is, what it is not, what it takes to practice it, and the role of coaching for strengthening this important skill.