@Carolyn Drevets well done!

Week 8 Update This week’s learning really tied together how the Communication Stem and S.A.F.E.™ framework work in practice, not just as tools, but as ways of creating emotional safety and deeper connection in real conversations. Tasking Completed 1. Watched Week 8 Meaning Module and re-watched Communication Stem ✅ 2. Taught the Communication Stem to 3 people ✅ 3. Shared an example of using the Communication Stem ✅ 4. Completed the Communication Style Assessment ✅ 5. Met with my buddy coaches for practice sessions ✅ Communication Stem Example A client shared his anxiety about going to work and how isolating it feels when he struggles to connect with coworkers from different backgrounds. His wife, with good intentions, told him: “You shouldn’t feel like that, you do a great job at work.” I noticed how invalidating that could feel in the moment, so I slowed things down using the Communication Stem: - Label: I let the client know I was the receiver and invited him to express himself openly. - Repeat: “What I’m hearing you say is you feel anxiety at work because it’s difficult to have conversations with coworkers, and you feel out of place due to your different ethnic background in the workplace and community.” - Validate (S.A.F.E.): I acknowledged his feelings and said, “I can see your anxiety is really present both at work and as you get ready for work. If I were in your situation, I’d likely feel anxious too.” Then I asked if there was anything else connected to his anxiety, which opened up more about feeling out of place. - Exhale: I took a deep breath and invited him to join me. That shift helped us co-regulate and move into creating strategies to lessen his anxiety. His wife was there during this process, so she could see firsthand the difference between invalidating reassurance and true validation. Communication Style Assessment I scored mostly C’s and A’s on the assessment. That tells me I tend to share my emotions openly—something that creates connection but can sometimes feel overwhelming to others. I also show up as an Assertive Communicator, expressing myself clearly while respecting other people’s perspectives. These insights gave me a lot to reflect on regarding both personal and professional communication.

Hi @Betty Ann Raymond. It’s great to meet you. What made you join this group?

@Aleksandra Glapinska Well put! It's nice to see you in the group!

Hi Everyone! My name is Tracey, and I’m excited to join you as I work toward becoming a Certified Relationship You Deserve Coach. My coaching journey began with a desire to empower women—especially those over 30 who’ve dedicated themselves to family, work, or social media, and in doing so, sometimes lost touch with their own dreams and voices. As a Stress No More Coach, I focused on helping women reconnect with their inner strengths. While supporting others, I realized that my own communication skills needed work—so much so that I almost lost one of my most important relationships, the one with my mother. Thanks to the Expert Coach Accelerator, I learned how to strengthen my relationships and take responsibility for my part. As I’ve continued through @Ed JC Smith's programs, I’ve also seen how much healthier my relationship with my partner has become when we each recognize our needs as individuals and as a couple. Right now, my biggest challenge is navigating the recent loss of our beloved dog, Yeezy. So much of our energy and focus went to him, and now we’re learning to rediscover who we are as a couple, and how to reconnect in this new chapter. I look forward to growing alongside all of you and sharing insights as we journey together.