Comments on: How Not to Listen — Getting Someone’s Attention Back

By: Liz Strauss

Liz Strauss — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:33:02 +0000

Hi Dawud!
We really do learn from listening to our misunderstandings, as you say. And they sure can bring us closer together. They are such an opportunity for us to learn more about how we and the people we converse with think and relate to the words that we use.

By: Dawud Miracle

Dawud Miracle — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:30:31 +0000

I think it’s inevitable that we’re going to ’stumble over’ each other with language from time to time. What can be powerful is how you handle the experience. Often a patiently and openly resolved misunderstanding can lead to greater loyalty and trust than a number of successes.

As Roosevent once said, “The only thing we have to fear…is fear itself.”

By: Liz Strauss

Liz Strauss — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:06:57 +0000

Hi Sasha!
I find that I get over my speaking nervousness, by saying it out loud to the folks I’m about to speak. Sometimes I actually say, “You know, you’re such an impressive audience, I’m a bit nervous, but I know what I have to say is important enough for you to be here. So I won’t let you down. ”

Sometimes I tell a story about how I used to tell my son I had faith in him before a hard day at school and then ask an audience member I’ve just barely met, “Do you have faith in me?”

By: sasha

sasha — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 13:35:34 +0000

This is so true, Liz! Back when I was still in school, I was not afraid to speak in front of an audience. But somehow, somewhere, during one speaking engagement in college, something happened and from then on I shy away from being in front of a large audience.

“The fear of negative comments is over-blown.”