My father-in-law was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease nearly 10 years ago. His tremor is noticeable and my daughter has known there is something that makes her Papa's hands shake. For years, my wife and I chose to leave it at that because no other symptoms have been apparent to her, and she has not asked.

“Free speech” is often raised as a defence in the court of public opinion, particularly when people are called out by their ideological opponents. “You’re attacking my right to free speech!” However, either through forgetfulness or ignorance, many Australians don’t appear to realise free speech is not a legal right they hold.

If you've ever felt like a completely dull person, take solace in this idea the School of Life presents: You're not boring, you're probably just guarded. In this video, they explain how to come across as less boring in conversations.

Every day we filter our thoughts before speaking, and, in many situations, it's difficult to speak up. This 5-minute exercise could help you get over that hurdle.

Sarcasm is a great way to diffuse a negative emotion, but it's easy to go overboard. The Wall Street Journal suggests you stick to only using sarcasm when you're close with someone to avoid potential confusion.

You can politely back out of unwanted conversations by excusing yourself and inviting the other person along, or you can even end it faster with attentive listening. Sometimes the most effective method, however, is to be abrupt and to the point.

Conflict and tension aren't necessarily bad for your personal and professional relationships. They can actually help foster stronger connections and get others to truly listen to you.

At some point in your life, you've probably experienced that awkward moment where your friends make plans to do something that you can't afford. Or maybe you helped make the plans but they have since changed and you can't afford it anymore. Here's the best way to handle those situations.

In a difficult conversation, one party is usually looking for answers. Why something was said, or why something did or didn't happen. In tough talks like that, silence can be your greatest ally.

Often we introduce friends to one another based on what they do or how we know them. That works, but you can give them a chance to cut out small talk and launch right into a meaningful conversation by introducing them with what they have in common with each other.

Random tidbits, factoids and conversation points pulled from the latest broadcast of NPR have always been my conversation fuel. But this stuff can turn you into an insufferable intellectual know-it-all if you're not careful, and that makes people not want to talk you. Here's how I've learned to rein that in.

Disappointing news can be just as hard to deliver as it is to receive. This video shares some insight on how to deliver bad news so the receiver won't want to kill the messenger.

A few years back, a friend of mine experienced a classic foot-in-mouth moment. "Congratulations!" she said to a coworker, who dryly replied, "I'm not pregnant." An embarrassment like that makes you want to crawl under a rock and never show your face again. Tempting, but it's probably healthier to recover from that moment.

You've probably been told the "golden rule" at some point in your life, but it's not always ideal for those times you want to ooze charisma. That's where the "platinum rule" comes in.

Maybe you talk too much in conversation, or maybe you clam up. Either way, communication skills don't come naturally for everyone. For a better conversational flow, use the 50/50 ratio for talking and listening.

Interrupting others is rude, impolite and can set off tempers. It's also absolutely necessary if you find yourself in an aggressive professional environment. That was the lesson that former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright had to learn.

When you want to change someone else's point of view, it's easy to assume that if you talk enough, people will listen. Often, that's not the case, though. In reality, if you want people to come to your side of an issue, it helps to listen to theirs first.

Employees want more feedback. Gen Y employees in particular, want constant feedback. Managers however are often reluctant to give feedback if they fear that what starts as a rational conversation may degenerate into an emotional one. Even managers trained in coaching have admitted to being reluctant to tackle employees seen as abrasive or aggressive.