I’ve been failing at human communication for 26 years now, so I think I’m more than qualified to answer this.

Over the years, I have pulled countless communication doozies. I have wiggled my way around questions, nodded my head when I should have shaken it, said “yes” when I mean to say “no,” refused to ask for help, failed to give compliments, and I hated saying “sorry.”

I started getting a little better each year since 2011, so I’m improving. Here are six communication life hacks from those past six years:

1. When you don’t understand something, say: “I don’t understand.”

People will explain again.

2. When you don’t agree with something, say: “I don’t agree.”

People will respect your opinion.

3. When you don’t want to do something, say: “No, thank you, I don’t want to do this.”

People will find a way without you.

4. When you want something, say: “Excuse me, can you help me with this?”

People will be happy to give you a hand.

5. When you like someone, say: “I like you.”

People will like you too.

6. When you know you did something wrong, say: “I’m sorry. That was my fault.”

People will forgive you.

I think those are all the communication life hacks you need to know. And whenever you apply one of them, do this next: listen. After all…

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. ~Epictetus

I write more here.