Get into his heart
start by getting into his head:
How many times have you wondered, "What is this guy thinking!"
The problem is many men have a hard time being open about their
thoughts and feelings.
Armed with the following five techniques, a man will feel more
comfortable opening up to you, so you can develop better communication
with him and, ultimately, enjoy a better relationship.
1. Let him know you care about what he is saying.
A man won't open up to you unless he knows you care. One of the best
ways to convey this to him is through your body language. To show your
interest, unfold your arms, lean into him and allow your eyes to meet
his in a natural way.
Let him know that you get what he is saying
Let him know that you get what he is saying with a nod of the head or
a raise of your brow.
Also, try "mirroring," which means that you absorb his body movement
and convey it back to him. So if he looks stressed telling a story, you
look stressed as well.
It's like saying, "I feel what you are feeling. I'm putting myself in
your shoes."
2. Be nonjudgmental.
No man is going to let you into his real thoughts if he senses he is
going to be criticized or put down. Leave out comments like "How could
you do something like that?" or "That's not something I would do." Give
him the freedom to express himself openly and honestly without judgment
and you'll be surprised at all that comes out.
You don't have to condone or agree with everything he says. You're
simply creating an environment where he has the freedom to say it.
3. Don't use the word "why."
When psychotherapists are in training, they are often taught to erase
the word "why" from their vocabulary, because "why" questions frequently
sound negative and critical.
When you ask a man, "Why did you do it that way?" it can come across
as "Are you stupid, why on earth would you choose to do it that way?"
Now he's on the defensive before you even finish the sentence. Practise
using substitutes such as "Tell me more about it" instead of "Why did
you do it?"
4. Never say, "We need to talk."
Nothing makes a man want to talk less than hearing "We need to talk."
It conveys the message that he's done something wrong, he's in trouble
for it, and you are going to let him have it. He will shut down before
the conversation starts.
The best way to bring up an important topic is to ease into it.
Choose a time when you are both doing a small task together such as
light cleaning or cooking, which takes the harsh focus away from "the
talk" and will make him more comfortable.
Remember not to approach him while he is involved in something
important to him.
5. Learn how to really listen. Chances are you always listen to him
but you don't always hear him.
How many times have you had something else on your mind as he is
talking to you? Or maybe you are thinking about what you're going to say
next instead of paying full attention.
It's important to stay in the "hear" and now with him, rather than
letting your own thoughts or the outside world intrude. A man can sense
when you really want to hear what he has to say - true listening is the
best way to get him talking true to you. |