3 easy steps to better communication
In the absence of knowledge, have empathy. You can never know everything. Only the truly arrogant have a totalitarian view in which they believe they know everything they would ever need to know about you or a given situation. Your assumptions can monopolize conversations. Thinking you already know something, is the best way to ensure that you never will. Chose empathy and open the gate way for an incredible conversation. Consider who you are talking to. Using the empathy from step one, consider what you do know about the person. Mentally adding the experiences you share and don’t share is a great place to...
Auto-correct yourself
Microsoft Word (MSW), the popular word processing program, has a feature that helps correct misspelled words. Well, they realized the large number of businesses, organizations and groups that exist are accompanied by their own individual ways of speaking and thus new words would be born…even if they are synonymous to said organization. These words or acronyms carry important meaning, even if the value of that vernacular lies in the minds or hearts of one person. So that brings us to my topic. That is, the Red squiggly line. In MSW the red squiggly line appears under words it deems...
Less points, more connections
Idle conversation can be very easy. When you start to talk about something of substance, it is great to have a goal of understanding or a conclusion in mind. Venting is not a conversation. It is letting someone know how you feel or felt. Sometimes we bottle up things and every time we talk to that person it is like lifting weight onto your chest. In fact, it is an illusion of a spiritual work out. The offense you feel may be unintended or a misunderstanding. Stay ready to speak respectfully and openly. It can be like a game,...
The Words We Wear
Being a father blessed to still have both of my parents with me, I often find myself reflecting on my own mortality. I think about what impact have I had, am I having and will I have in the future. I’m humbled by the hypocrisy that life holds as I must reprimand my children for doing what I once did. It is a blessed burden to use your past way of thinking as a crystal ball to help your offspring navigate what is yet to come. I’ve learned to walk in the clothing of my parent’s wisdom. I don’t know...