Acknowledge needs

You had a long week. You’re looking forward to a glass of wine and a date with Netflix. Your partner is rearing to go out & get down.

How can you communicate that you just don’t have it in you, but in a way that helps them meet their needs too?

“Let’s go out...have some fun!” they say.

“Honey, I see you really want to burn off some steam, but I’m wiped out from the week. How about we stay in tonight and go out tomorrow night? How does that sound to you?”

See what you did there? You acknowledged your partner’s underlying needs, not the strategy to meet those needs, and opened a dialogue that recognized both your needs and proposed a solution to meet both your needs, just not at the same time.

How did you do it?

You lead by acknowledging your partner’s needs, while also holding on to your own needs as valid.