When was the last time you contributed to a discussion and you just weren't heard? How many times have you noticed people talking at each other without ever really hearing each other? Demanding they be listened to without really listening and really hearing the other person except to bolster their own argument or position?

It happens all too frequently. It's no wonder poor communication is one of the greatest ills of modern organisational and family life. This column introduces an elegant and respectful set of tools to improve your interpersonal communications skills.

Jenny Hutt has worked as an organisational learning and development consultant for nineteen years. She is based in Melbourne and works with public and private sectors in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Jenny is a Sociodramatist and TEP-in-training. She is on the teaching staff of the Australian College of Psychodramaand is Immediate Past President of ANZPA.