Even if two people have the same experience, there’s every chance that their perspectives on that experience will be very different, and that can lead to miscommunication and disagreements in relationships. Once you get into gridlock and feel almost unable to hear or understand the other person’s point of view, you’re bound to wind up feeling unheard and unacknowledged – but there is another way out. By learning to ask open-ended questions and gain a deeper understanding of all the things both you and your partner bring to each conversation – your hopes, dreams, values, expectations and life experiences – you can create the foundation for healthier communication. There is significant value in feeling emotionally understood, even when your partner disagrees, and these two things are not mutually exclusive.