Do I Really Need To Say Anything?
I have started a new practice that has made a substantial positive impact on my life. As a consultant, I've always known that my job was to ask good questions and listen intensely. However, in my personal life, I will often give my feedback, opinions, and suggestions?without being asked?for it! I realized this wasn't exactly a positive trait.
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During the last few months, I have focused on asking myself a few questions before I open my mouth.
- Do I really need to say anything right now?
- Will what I'm about to say add any value to this conversation?
- Do they want my advice or simply for me to listen to them?
- Do I want to be correct, or do I want to be happy?
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Just taking a moment to pause and ask these questions has changed how I approach conversations. Carefully thinking about what I plan to say before I say it has cut my comments by 80%. I talk less, listen more, and strive for genuine connection. It makes the discussion much better for everyone involved.
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So to finish, let me ask you a question rather than telling you what to do.
Do you think it would be helpful to ask yourself these questions before you start talking?
If you want to get in contact with me, I’d love to hear from you. Please visit my site at?https://johnspence.com/contact/?and let me know how I can help.
Contracts Manager
2 年A great way to ensure we do this is to remind ourselves to W.A.I.T. Meaning, Why - Am - I - Talking. It is a simple but effective reminder to use.
Assistant Director | UF Innovation Academy
2 年Agreed 100%. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason, right?
Helping Seniors and their Families Age Successfully
2 年I had a friend/mentor teach this concept to me a few years ago. She put it like this: would you rather be right or would you rather be related? As in connected...related to people, family, friends, clients. Too often we operate from the need to be right. You remind me to talk less, listen more!
High-Performance Coach For The Ultra Successful | CEO Specialist | 7x Author | Business Growth Strategist | Host of Best-In-Class podcast | CEO of Madden Management Systems
2 年Life-changing advice
Overcome sales objections, ghosting and prospecting challenges. Personalised 1:1 Sales & LinkedIn coaching. Interactive Group Training. Influencer marketing deals with Salesforce, BRITA and Hubspot
2 年Those 4 questions are excellent John Spence This one of my favourite, “Do they want my advice or simply for me to listen to them?”