Listening Beyond Words & Building Deeper Connections

“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” — Bryant H. McGill

Even though my mom and I have a great connection, that doesn’t stop us from having the following types of conversations quite often.

Mom: – On your way to my place, will you pick

Me: – Pick up apples and walnuts? (Because I know that we planned to make apple pie together)

Mom: – No, silly! Will you pick your aunt up? She called and said she would like to come over and needs a ride.

That has something to do with her and me loving to complete each other’s sentences, knowing full well that what we say is nowhere near what the other means. But we love a good laugh and never miss an opportunity to have a loud one.

My mom and I do this intentionally and consciously as an internal joke. But seeing how far the misunderstandings between her and I could get, even though we have a close relationship, says a lot about potential miscommunications that could easily occur between people who are less familiar with each other - especially if they are not much in synch on hearing and understanding one another.

Why Is Communication Particularly Important?

Communication can be defined as the process of understanding and sharing meaning in what we say and how we say it, both in oral and written forms. If we did not communicate at all, how would we function? What would 'not being able to ask for what you need or even to understand the needs of others look like?

Communication is the foundation of all human relationships. It is the very tool we use to express our ideas and feelings while recognizing the emotions and thoughts of others. Thus, we develop emotions that create preferably positive but sometimes also negative relationships.

Our communication skills help us to understand others. Not just their words but also their tone of voice, their nonverbal gestures, and the format of their written documents provide clues about who they are and what their values and priorities may be.

How Can You Be A Better Listener?

You might already be a great listener, but if you think that will stop me from sharing a few tips on being an active listener, reader, and successful communicator with you, that would be a mistake. So, here are my suggestions to you:

• Put on your curiosity hat and approach each dialogue to learn something.
• Stop talking and focus on what is being said.
• Suppress the urge to think about what you are going to say next,
• Use open-ended questions rather than questions that could get answered with just a yes or no.
• Ask follow-up questions to check the accuracy of your understanding and summarize what you heard to confirm you are on the same page.
• Encourage practicing positive feedback through a smile, a nod, or a supportive question to show your interest in the topic.
• Listen for total meaning, as the real message may be non-verbal or emotional, and be fully aware of the body language.
• Pay attention to your responses and respect the other points of view, even if you disagree.

Communication is an art. Be an artist. Create your best artwork with every person you communicate with.

Before You Go ??

TEDx Video of the Week: 10 ways to have a better conversation by Celeste Headlee (she/her) .

PS: After enjoying this short video, please make sure you scroll all the way down so that you don't miss the?What Am I Up To These Days?section of this newsletter.

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What Am I Up To These Days ??????

• I am looking forward to having you at one or more of my upcoming?Insight Timer?FREE live sessions. Below are the ones coming up within the next two weeks - sign up and add them to your calendar:
• Today @ 1:00 PM ET -?The Gift - Reading, Meditation, Contemplation
• Wednesday, September 27 @ 6:30 AM ET -?Balancing Achievement and Self-Compassion (Positive Intelligence - Exploration of Saboteurs - Session 4)
• Sunday, October 1 @ 1:00 PM ET -?The Gift - Reading, Meditation, Contemplation
• Wednesday, October 4 - Uniting Heart and Mind of a Hyper-Rational.
• My amazing partner? Anne Lewis PCC, CPQC ?and I are very excited about our complimentary?"I AM / WE ARE" Playshop?that we are hosting tomorrow (September 25th). If it is short notice for you, sign up for next month's session, and let's play together! First,?watch the gorgeous testimonial from?one of our then engaged and now happily married couples.

• If you haven't already listened to The Ultimate Coach podcast's latest episode you might have noticed embedded above, where Meredith Bell had the wonderful Dr. Carla Rotering as her guest, here it is for you.
• I came across the "Take A Moment" Campaign from the UK that has been going on for quite some time and fell in love with it. I contributed by sending my picture right away. But I was so excited that I wanted to do more and help grow this great movement on this side of the pond. Immediately I contacted the Chief Reimaginator of the Award-Winning 360° NATION , ?? Dennis Pitocco and he loved the idea too. So now, in addition to the UK's great campaign, we have the #Justbe Movement, and we would love to have your picture to be on our silence and peace wall - at the moment we are at 84 soothing pictures. You can join the UK's great campaign, our #Justbe movement, or, just like I did, both. The more calmness and peace the better for the world.
• I am happy and excited about getting together with the members of Lambton College 's International Women's Club led by Amruta Pawar . What a great privilege to empower the young women of our community!
• Closing this long and packed newsletter, I want to once again remind you this: Always put yourself first, and do something that gives you joy. TODAY!