Empowering people to make strengthening choices

Take Control of Your Life Situation

Take Control of Your Life Situation

I’ve talked before about the distinction between your life and life situation. To give you a quick metaphor, your life situation is the pond you swim in – your relationships, your environment, your job, your health, etc.  But your life is how you choose to swim through it.  Even if there are storms or predators […]

By Roger K. Allen, Ph.D.


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Emotionally Intelligent Communication

Emotionally Intelligent Communication

Imagine that Trish, an 8th grader, comes home from school and throws her books on the floor. Mom responds, “Hey, you don’t throw books. You come and pick these up, right now, young lady.” Trish turns and runs up to her room in tears, ignoring her mom’s, “Get back here.” An Anxious Mom Fuming and […]

By Roger K. Allen, Ph.D.


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Desired Outcomes from Your Communication

Desired Outcomes from Your Communication

In my last blog posts, I’ve made a distinction between communication that is harmful and weakening vs. helpful and strengthening. It is powerful to be aware of this distinction. As you recognize your tendencies that are weakening and purposefully choose to communicate in ways that are strengthening you will not only improve the quality of […]

By Roger K. Allen, Ph.D.


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What Not to Say to Someone in Distress

What Not to Say to Someone in Distress

What do you do or say when someone around you is hurting or in distress? How are you likely to respond? Do you say and do something that will be helpful and even strengthening to this individual or might you, inadvertently, say or do something that is harmful and even weakening? I want to suggest […]

By Roger K. Allen, Ph.D.


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Is Your Communication Weakening or Strengthening?

Is Your Communication Weakening or Strengthening?

Hi my friend, In truth, we are always communicating, verbally and nonverbally, when in the presence of others. Our words, gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice all matter and affect those around us. So a question I want to pose to you today is, what is the impact of your communication? Is your communication helpful or […]

By Roger K. Allen, Ph.D.


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What’s Your Relationship Dance?

What’s Your Relationship Dance?

In my last post, I talked about four styles of communication. Would you call yourself a dominator, accommodator, avoider, or collaborator in your communication? A Relationship Dance Of course, communication is two-way, meaning there are patterns that depend not only on your tendencies but that of others with whom you’re communicating. A dance is a good […]

By Roger K. Allen, Ph.D.


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4 Communication Styles: How to Grow Myself and My Relationships

4 Communication Styles: How to Grow Myself and My Relationships

I believe that communication is one of the key factors determining our success and how well how we navigate the world around us. Our ability to relate to other people, get things done, and develop close and healthy relationships can all be thought of as a function of our communication. Therefore, by improving how we […]

By Roger K. Allen, Ph.D.


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How to Strengthen Your Relationships

How to Strengthen Your Relationships

Hi friends, Frankly, there is nothing (or little) more important than our relationships. It is our relationships that bring us joy (and heartache) and give our lives meaning. A primary reason is that  we are interdependent. None of us lives or works in isolation but in a community (family, team, neighborhood, nation, etc.) with other […]

By Roger K. Allen, Ph.D.


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