Guest: Kelly Skeen author of Communication Skills for Teens: How to Listen, Express and Connect for Success

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Kelly Skeen co-author of Communication Skills for Teens: How to Listen, Express and Connect for Success. As teens head back to school, we think it’s a good time to revisit and reinforce healthy communication skills. The framed needlepoint in the photo was a birthday gift to Kelly from her amazingly thoughtful and creative friend, Ari, who ordered it on Etsy. It was made by a woman in Belgium! About the book: Communication is an essential life skill that every teen must learn. Based on the New Harbinger classic, Messages, this book will teach you the necessary skills—such as assertiveness, active listening, and compassion—to become an effective communicator for life. In an age of social media, texting, and ever-evolving technology, it’s easy to forget how to engage in real, face-to-face communication, a critical skill for your future success! As you become more connected to your smartphone and the internet, your ability to connect in person may diminish. But technology doesn’t replace the need for effective communication skills. In fact, successful personal and professional relationships are dependent upon connecting with people face-to-face. Communication Skills for Teens provides the guidance you need to become a better communicator and succeed in all areas of life. You’ll also learn tons of essential life skills, including active listening, assertiveness, clarifying language, the art of an apology, compassion, interviewing skills, family communication, and more. Each chapter focuses on one key aspect of communication, offers a real teen’s perspective, and includes practical exercises to help you apply what you’ve learned in the real world—away from your computer and smartphone screens. By following the practical, skills-based tips in each chapter of this book, you’ll learn powerful communication techniques to last a lifetime. About the co-author: Kelly Skeen is an undergraduate student at Georgetown University, majoring in American Studies and minoring in Spanish and Education, Inquiry & Justice. To find out more go to www.kellyskeen.com