Mindful Communication: Speaking (Partner Exercise)
Goal
The goal of this exercise is to improve individuals’ communication skills through practicing mindful, purposeful speaking.
Step 1: The exercise explained
Pair up and have a few brief conversations with a partner, friend or colleague to practice mindful speech. Mindful speech is essentially thinking before you speak, and speaking from the heart with intention. It is a reflective process that can be broken down into three elements, or steps:
Slow down and connect to the present moment. Become aware of where you are and who you are with, and take a breath, a deliberate pause, before speaking.
Check in with what you are about to say, and why you have chosen to say this out of everything you could say in this moment. What is your motivation for your chosen words? What is your gut feeling saying to you?
After you have spoken, pause again and check in with yourself. What did it feel like to say that? Did it come out as you intended? How did the other person receive what you said and what was their response?
Step 2: Choose a topic of conversation
Take a moment to choose a topic of conversation - something you feel comfortable talking about for a few minutes. This could be anything - your pet, job, weekend plans, favourite movie, favourite food, and so on.
Step 3: Start talking
Set a timer for 3 minutes, and start talking. Listeners are to simply listen. Be sure to alk slowly and from the heart, to check in with what you are about to say and why, and to notice how the listener receives what you say.
Step 4: Stop and reflect
After 3 minutes, stop the exercise and reflect on the following:
How did it feel to speak mindfully compared to how you normally speak?
Did what you say come out as intended?
How did the other person respond?
How do you feel now?
Step 5: Swap roles
Swap roles with your partner and return to Step 2. The listeners are now the speakers and the speakers are now the listeners.