Authentic Communication. The Practice of Honest and Caring Communication

Sometimes it seems that the interlocutor speaks a different language, and the dialogue does not come together no matter how hard you try to find arguments. However, finding common ground is still necessary, and that is where authentic communication comes to the rescue – that is, communication in which a person is aware of what is happening during the conversation, acts at their discretion, and remains as honest as possible with themselves and others. They do not manipulate, do not bend to others, but also do not try to exert authority, nor do they play intellectual games. Such an interlocutor lives and speaks sincerely and openly. Alexey Ivanov and Sveta Shedina, hosts of the podcast "But You Hold On" and founders of the TalkAuthentic project, will help readers develop authenticity skills in communication, increase awareness in dialogue, learn to defend their boundaries, and address complex issues. The book contains a description of the principles of authentic communication, their application in typical situations, examples from the authors' experiences and students from their course, as well as practical exercises. It will be useful for anyone who wants to establish communication in different contexts, whether it be casual conversations, business negotiations, correspondence with clients, or trustful communication with family and friends.