The Dance of Connection

By: Harriet Lerner

Narrated by: Harriet Lerner

Bestselling author Harriet Lerner focuses on the challenge and the importance of being able to express one's ""authentic voice"" in intimate relationships.

The key problem in relationships, particularly over time, is that people begin to lose their voice. Despite decades of assertiveness training and lots of good advice about communicating with clarity, timing, and tact, women and men find that their greatest complaints in marriage and other intimate relationships are that they are not being heard, that they cannot affect the other person, that fights go nowhere, that conflict brings only pain. Although an intimate, long-term relationship offers the greatest possibilities for knowing the other person and being known, these relationships are also fertile ground for silence and frustration when it comes to articulating a true self. And yet giving voice to this self is at the center of having both a relationship and a self. Much as she did in THE MOTHER DANCE, Lerner will approach this rich subject with tales from her personal life and clinical work, inspiring and teaching readers to speak their own truths to the most important people in their lives.

©1999 Harriet Lerner; (P)2001 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

So helpful

This book had so many helpful passages that I bookmarked. I would recommend this to anyone. The book deals with communicating with family members and difficult conversations you need to have with your loved ones. Definitely worth the listen.

very easy to apply instantly...Will re-read

great book. points easy to apply. a must for couples trying to improve communication skills.

great info

the information was great. delivery, not so much. if u can get through the monotone, u will b fine.

Excellent Content! Listen to it 1.25x faster.

What made the experience of listening to The Dance of Connection the most enjoyable?

The book is practical and insightful, with a lot of excellent examples.

What other book might you compare The Dance of Connection to and why?

The dance of anger

Which character – as performed by Harriet Lerner – was your favorite?

All of them. As she mentioned, do not skip any examples. Even you don't have kids, don't skip the example of mother and her child. The same communication principle will help you in other circumstances.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Let other people worry about their things.

Any additional comments?

I found this book after reading the dance of anger. I was having a lot of relationship issues - with my husband, my in-laws, and my co-workers. This book has provided quite a few excellent examples. I listened to it again and again and have started to apply the same principles in different cases. I have found that letting people deal with their own issues instead of trying to solving the problems for them makes me so much happier and less stressed about my own life.

So useful and thoughtful!

This book provides a lot to think about as well as useful tools for becoming a better listener communicator friend and partner!