First Aid for the Artist's Soul. Christina Barandun

Cultivate an awareness of “communicative fallibility”

       Every point of view is legitimate

       The soliloquy

       Non-verbal communication

       The language of the stage is body language

       Power of body language

       Basic Techniques of Verbal Communication

       The communication bridge: the sender side

      The what and the how · Only talk about what’s relevant · Reasons · Transmit and repeat important information · Choosing the right time and place · Give feedback · Inner attitude · Feedback rules · Eye-opener in difficult situations

       The communication bridge: the recipient side

      The art of listening · Active listening or understanding others · Bear in mind the value of the message · Assume a positive intention · Just say thanks!

       The transforming power of appreciation

       Every emotion is right to begin with

       Who started it?

       Let tolerance grow

       Seeing what’s good or Why is it so hard to praise?

       Assume responsibility for your own actions

       Communication as a daily challenge

       Chapter 6: Handling conflicts constructively

       Conflict as an opportunity

       Conflicts built into the structure of the theatre

       Conflicts are good

       Three steps towards conflict resolution – strategies of self-control

       Step 1: Keep Calm

      Stable footing · Body alignment and posture · Slow down · Exhale consciously

       Step 2: Develop an understanding of the situation

      Our constructions of reality · Important signposts: our emotions · Accepting emotions · The power of empathy · Criticism as constructive feedback · Confidently defend your own point of view · Humour · Building trust

       Step 3: Finding win-win solutions

      What’s most important: Appreciation on a human level · Mustering patience for finding a common path · Being open to new things · Activating creativity · Accepting change as an everyday occurrence

       A question of inner attitude

       Setting your own code

       Positive, solution-oriented basic attitude

       Practise wisdom

       An eternal process – patience and calmness

       Chapter 7: Mastery of the Self

       Forging artistic talent

       The Japanese tradition of the arts and crafts