Includes bibliographical references and index.

Explores listening, assertion, and conflict management skills needed for the development of effective interpersonal communications and more meaningful human relationships, with an examination of barriers to communication. Skills for bridging the interpersonal gap -- Barriers to communication -- Listening skills (Listening is more than merely hearing -- Four skills of reflective listening -- Why reflective responses work -- Reading body language -- Improving reflecting skills) -- Assertion skills (Three approaches to relationships -- Developing 3-part assertion messages -- Handling the push-push back phenomenon -- Increasing your assertive options) -- Conflict management skills (Handling the emotional components of conflict -- Collaborative problem solving : seeking an elegant solution -- Three essentials for effective communication).