The communicator who listens the best learns the most. If you’re doing all the talking you’re not gathering and exposing yourself to any new ideas.
I’ve discovered that it’s the person asking the questions who is in true control of the conversation. Get great at using brilliant questions sincerely.
Turning up the volume of your listening is one of the finest acts of respect you can show another person, especially in this civilization of people who adore hearing the sound of their own voice.
Being fully present and genuinely engaged (versus checking messages or rehearsing your answer) as you hear the speaker makes the other person feel important, understood and safe with you. This accelerates trust massively. And trust is the bedrock of a great relationship, whether at the workplace or within your home life.
And when you take off the social mask that most human beings wear to look cool and avoid rejection (oh how many gorgeous opportunities are lost because we’re too cool to take a risk and possibly look silly!) others begin to fall in love with you. You being real gives everyone around you permission to be real. Create a culture of people working together around an ethical and enthusiastic central purpose so they realize they are able to be themselves and you generate the magic that makes true movements.
Pretending to be someone that you’re not just to fit in and be liked also consumes huge amounts of emotional energy that is swiftly released to boost your productivity once you have the wisdom and guts to be yourself.
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