Have you ever had someone verbally throw up on you? You know, the person keeps talking and never gives you a chance to utter a single word. It’s almost like she breathes out of her ears. Don’t be that person.
However, when it comes to connecting with people, Mr. Dale Carnegie in his book How To Win Friends & Influence People, tells us that letting the other person do the talking helps in family situations as well as business.
He goes on to say, If you disagree with them you may be tempted to interrupt. But don’t. It is dangerous. They won’t pay attention to you while they still have a lot of ideas of their own crying out for expression. So listen patiently and with an open mind. Be sincere about it. Encourage them to express their ideas fully.
If you really want to connect with a person, ask her questions. Allow her to speak of her accomplishments. Listen the her. Really listen to her. When you do speak, affirm her. Speak words of encouragement to her. Everyone wants to feel important. Everyone wants to be encouraged. Help the person walk away feeling like they have just spent time with their best friend and the whole day seems brighter. We all want that, don’t we?
How have you listened and then affirmed someone?
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