Dialogue: From Competing to Collaborating

In my last article, I introduced four styles of communication.  In this article, I want to do a deeper dive into the meaning of collaboration, the alternative to the patterns of dominating, accommodating, and avoiding.

The truth is that all these styles have their place in day-to-day life. However, collaboration becomes crucial as the topic of our communication becomes more sensitive, as emotions are aroused, as the stakes become higher, and/or as conflict is either simmering or escalating.

In fact, I’ll go so far as to say...