Having and authentic voice means that:- We can openly share competence as well as problems and vulnerability.- We can warm things up and calm them down.- We can listen and ask questions that allow us to truly know the other person and to gather information about anything that may affect us.- We can say what we think and feel, state differences, and allow the other person to do the same.- We can define our values, convictions, principles, and priorities, and do our best to act in accordance with them.- We can define what we feel entitled to in a relationship, and we can clarify the limits of what we will tolerate or accept in another’s behavior.- We can leave (meaning that we can financially and emotionally support ourselves), if necessary.