During all stages of the separation and divorce process, it's important to remember these key communication strategies to help you stay focused on the goal of reaching resolution and creating a Separation Agreement:

Future-Focused Communication: Keep conversations oriented toward solutions rather than past events. When discussing the past, ask what it means now and how to learn from it moving forward.

Interests vs. Positions: Focus on why someone wants something (interests) rather than what they want (positions). Listen empathetically to understand underlying motivations and find common ground.

Emotional Management: Feel emotions as guides to priorities but don't act impulsively on them. When triggered, pause and process feelings privately before resuming discussions.

Professional Standards: Communicate with the tone you'd use with work colleagues. Remember that all communications may become court evidence and reflect on your credibility and reasonableness.

Transparency: Share important documents and financial information as legally required. Transparency builds trust and provides information needed for informed decisions.

Assertiveness: Clearly state your wants and needs. Even conflict-avoiders must be assertive to provide enough information for productive negotiations.

Flexibility: Stay open to multiple solutions and expect mutual compromises. Ensure any compromises align with your overall goals and vision.

The collaborative communication sheet and negotiation cheat sheet provide practical frameworks for implementation. These principles build trust, create collaborative environments, prevent court involvement, and facilitate successful agreements.