This year on the Good Dads blog, we’re thrilled to be your guide through the 2026 theme: Good Dads Communicators. Between now and the end of the year, we’ll explore a variety of perspectives on how people communicate and how we can build our communication skills to lead happier lives.
Lately, “communication” has become a kind of cultural catch-all. It’s invoked as both the problem and solution for everything: relationship and mental health struggles, workplace conflicts, social media, etc. We’re told to communicate better, more often and with more honesty. It seems like everyone is talking about talking.
But there’s something ironic about treating communication as a trendy idea, as if it’s a new form of technology we’ve only just discovered. The reality is we have been communicating for as long as humans have been around! Perhaps it’s more helpful and more realistic to think about communication as an ever-evolving tool in the toolkit of humanity, instead of this new and scary thing that your therapist recommends you try.
Long before we were swiping through TikToks and “liking” our friends’ Facebook posts, communication has been baked into humanity. It’s etched into cave walls, carried through stories told by firelight, and shepherded across generations. Indeed, communication is the mechanism by which being human is possible in the first place!
If it’s true that we, as humans, have been communicating for so long, then why is it so hard sometimes?
What does it mean to be a good communicator?
When we try to put a definition on something as layered and human as communication, we run the risk of leaving something out. In other words, there is not a single definition for what it means to be a good communicator, but there are several qualities that most experts agree on.
Good communicators know how to express themselves.
And they do so fairly. They can accurately identify emotions in themselves and others. They are attuned to their surroundings and can recognize when something is off. They notice the energy level, emotional state, attention spans and power dynamics at play. They have the vocabulary to describe what is going on with themselves and others.
They exercise their “communication muscles” at every opportunity.
Good communicators aren’t born: They’re made. It takes constant practice and reinforcement. Great communication skills are a little like great oral health. You keep your teeth clean by brushing twice a day, flossing and going to the dentist regularly. It’d be silly to think you can brush your teeth once every other Tuesday and still have a healthy smile. Likewise, it’s misinformed to assume you can be a good communicator if you don’t keep up with the habit of communicating often.
The best communicators dig deep, driven by curiosity.
They patiently unfold the layers of a problem to uncover what is at the heart of an issue. They accept that a problem rarely exists in a vacuum. They are skilled at asking questions like, “What is the deeper issue? What is really happening? Where is the hurt coming from?”
They listen to understand, not just to respond.
During a difficult conversation or conflict, the best communicators can temporarily put aside their feelings and opinions, just for a moment, and focus on the message of the other person. They understand the goal is to reach understanding, especially if they disagree. They take turns being the speaker and listener, sharing the “talking stick” seamlessly.
They can communicate with kids, teens, adults – many kinds of people.
It takes practice and flexibility. The best communicators can adjust their tone, depth and pace based on the demands of the situation. They optimize for the other person, not for themselves.
They know when and how to take a step back.
Great communicators can intuit when something’s not working. Maybe emotions are high, and everyone needs a break. They have tools in their toolbelt for taking a healthy time-out (a walk around the block, listening to music, drinking a glass of water) and do not rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms like violence or substances.
They prioritize safety and acceptance.
Even in stressful situations when emotions are high, the best communicators make sure loved ones know they are secure. This is especially important for parents of small children, who rely on grown-ups for this assurance. They help young people put words to feelings and are always looking for teachable moments about safety, health, compassion, risk-taking, authority, etc.
If you recognize yourself in any of these traits, you are certainly on the path to being a great communicator! If you spotted any skills that need sharpening, you’re in the right place. This year on the blog, we are excited to provide real-life skills and strategies that dads can put into practice with their families.
What to expect from the Good Dads blog in 2026:
For the next 12 months, we’ll bring you practical advice and stories from real people, rooted in the very best research on communication. And we’re doing it with dads as our biggest priority. We know that everyone benefits from being a good communicator, but we also know that there is a big gap in resources built specifically for men and fathers. While we think anyone can take away something valuable from the Good Dads blog, what’s in store for 2026 is intentionally built with dads as our focus.
Here are just a few of the topics we’ll explore on the blog this year:
- What makes us better communicators? What are the pitfalls of poor communication?
- Identity and roles.
- Communicating with specificity – say what you mean and get to the heart of the issue.
- Why quality time is a secret ingredient for better communication.
- The importance of apology and repair in a healthy relationship.
- Being a good listener.
- Keeping the romance alive.
- Communicating effectively with other adults in your child’s life.
- Expressing gratitude.
I hope you’ll stay tuned this year for a calendar chock-full of meaningful advice, thoughtful stories, important research and powerful takeaways written by real people on this vast and fascinating topic. We’re so excited to share these resources with our readers! The best way to stay updated on the Good Dads blog is to subscribe to the Good Dads newsletter. Scroll to the bottom of this webpage and fill out the form in the website’s footer to get the newsletter in your inbox every week.
