Today I met with our new HPM Fellows. We had a wonderful time reflecting on the start of their fellowship, and some of their anxieties and hopes for the year. One of the questions they asked me was “how much do you use your palliative communication skills outside of work?”

I laughed, because this comes up all the time. “Palliative Communication” is really just “Good Communication.” Sure, it’s tailored to and framed for specific situations, but the fundamental skills of emotional recognition and response are the same.

At this point in my career and life, I’m pretty sure these skills just come out unannounced in unstructured conversation. I remember my wife at one point (jokingly?) saying “don’t use that palliative voodoo on me!” My kids will tell you I use “I wish” statements all the time on (with?) them. “I wish we could eat more candy right now, really I do” and “I wish our bodies could handle ice cream several times a day!” are favorites.

Take a moment and think about it. What “lines” or communication skills used at work have found their way into your daily routine?