4S | 4-Sides Model

4-Sides Model

Friedemann Schulz von Thun’s 4-Ears Model, also known as the 4-Sides Model or Communication Square, is a communication tool that helps to understand the different levels of a message: factual content, appeal, relationship and self-revelation.

Effort: Difficulty: Effectiveness:

The 4-Ears Model raises awareness of the complexity of messages and helps to perceive communication in a more differentiated way and to recognize and eliminate the causes of communication problems. It encourages reflection on one's own communication patterns and preferred “ears”.

💡 Tip from practice: Be aware that different people have different “ears” and may perceive messages on different levels.

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The full step-by-step guide and more practical tips are in the app and the book.

Public: teaser, category badges, one tip, related methods. Reserved for book/app: the full step-by-step guide, all further tips, and the detailed assessment.