"In interpersonal communication, an I-message is an assertion about the feelings, beliefs, values etc. of the person speaking, generally expressed as a sentence beginning with the word "I", and is contrasted with a "you-message", which often begins with the word "you" and focuses on the person spoken to. Thomas Gordon coined the term "I message" in the 1960s."

"Dr. Thomas Gordon (11 March 1918 - 26 August 2002) was an American clinical psychologist, student and later colleague of Carl Rogers (with Abraham Maslow founder of the humanistic psychology). He was mainly known for his Gordon-Method, primarily a method to improve relationships between parents and children that was later developed into a general communication method to improve all relationships (also professional ones).
Dr. Gordon spent more than 50 years teaching parents, teachers and leaders the model he developed for building effective relationships. His model was based on a strong belief that the use of coercive power damages relationships. As an alternative, he taught people skills for communicating and resolving conflicts that they can use to build and maintain good relationships at home, school and at work. These skills, which include Active Listening, I-Messages and No-Lose Conflict Resolution, are now widely known and used by people around the world."