Get What You Want: 3 Key Communication Techniques for Eliciting Cooperation from Men

We can all see the physical differences between women and men, but the psychological differences aren’t so obvious. Men’s and women’s communication styles are so different that often women end up feeling like nothing they say gets through. If you’ve ever wondered if the man you’re in a relationship with is totally insensitive or just stupid, I’m about to offer you three ways of asking for what you want which will greatly increase your chances of being heard and getting the response you want.

1. Make him feel like a hero. Appealing to the male ego is a sure-fire communication method of gaining his cooperation.

Want him to do the dishes? Present it to him not as a chore that the relationship requires, but as an opportunity to slay a dragon for the princess. “Sweetie, I’ve had such a long day and I still need to get the kids bathed and in bed, and the dishes are piled up so high. I know you have other things you want to get done too, but I feel like I need to be rescued. Could you help me?”

Want him to stop leaving his clothes on the bathroom floor after his shower? Make your communication sound like you’d feel like he was giving you a diamond. “Honey, I’d like to ask you to do something that would make my whole week. Next time you take a shower, if you could put your dirty clothes in the hamper in the hall, I would just love that.”