Keep the Decision-Maker Talking: Breakthrough Communicator Tip #8

Hello everyone,

This is Christopher Peck with Speak Into Action Communications.

When we ask open-ended questions, we create room for our other to share about their needs, desires, and feelings--one of our absolute favorite things to do.

It is an essential technique for building trust and rapport, information-gathering, and deepening our personal and professional relationships.

But it can easily be undone with one crippling mistake.

We see it time and time again.

And I'm willing to bet every single one of us has--myself included--committed this detrimental error.

Do...

Not...

Interrupt.

Do not interrupt.

Breakthrough Communicators create this awesome, necessary space for their connections to open up, be transparent, and be authentic.

Nothing shuts this earnest vulnerability down faster than interruption.

Think about the last time you were sharing a story, idea, dream and someone cut you off.

How did you feel?

Perturbed?

Disempowered?

Less than?

Ignored?

Did you feel anything but negativity and maybe a little shame?

Maybe your protective armor was even triggered to protect your child in charge.

Breakthrough Communicators stay connected with the real Decision-Maker by listening more and talking less.

Let them share.

Let them complete their thoughts.

Let them really answer questions.

And please, please, please don't assume--halfway through their thought--you know where it's going and don't have to listen anymore.

You will accomplish nothing through interruption except disengaging the child in charge.

So add this to your communication repertoire:

In addition to asking more open-ended questions, don't interrupt the answers.

Build more intimate, constructive relationships with prospective and current clients, friends, family, children, by encouraging them to keep talking.

Thank you for reading; as always like, comment, and share this blog with fellow Breakthrough Communicators. Let's build a world of richer, more satisfying relationships.

This is Christopher Peck with Speak Into Action Communications; helping businesses perform better by training better performers.

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We Need a Communication Revolution

Hey everyone, Christopher Peck with Speak Into Action Communications.

There's a common phrase of unknown origin which has circulated in some form or another for hundreds--if not longer--of years,

"It is better to remain silent and have people think you're stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Empathy, information, thoughtfulness, and active-listening are absolutely necessary skills before launching into our own opinions. And if this common saying was, "Practice empathy, information-gathering, thoughtfulness, and active-listening before launching into your own opinion," I would be talking about something else right now.

But that's not what this quote says. This statement implies we have two choices: remain silent, and because we never share any ideas, be perceived as stupid...

Or share our ideas which are stupid.

Regardless, we are stupid.

Sadly, most of us have been on the giving or receiving (or more likely both) ends of this statement.

So it's not hard to see why public speaking continues to be one of the biggest fears in this country; why people think it's a skill you're either born with or not; why some think communication skills are a luxury, not a necessity, for their personal and professional growth; and why others protect themselves by sharing their ideas behind pseudonyms.

Because you're stupid anyway, right?

And it's better to not communicate your ideas and just be perceived as stupid then to share your stupid ideas and confirm the truth.

This is no way to live.

Friends, we need a communication revolution.

I'm proud to be connected with so many bright, talented professionals who have important, creative ideas to share.

And I'm here to tell you it's not better to keep those incredible ideas to yourself.

It's not better to cultivate environments where ideas are thought of as stupid.

It's not better to lead through condescension, ridicule, and fear.

It is better to shout our freaking amazing ideas from the rooftops so others can benefit and maybe, just maybe, be influenced to share amazing ideas of their own.

So what are your big ideas?

Are you sharing them boldly? Unapologetically?

Or do you think they're too stupid to share?

Your ideas aren't stupid.

You're not stupid.

Just keep creating.

Thanks for reading, if you're already sharing your big ideas on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook or anywhere else, post the link in the comments section. Your ideas are inspiring and I want to see more.

This is Christopher Peck with Speak Into Action Communications--helping businesses perform better by training better performers.

Enjoyed the read?

Every blog is available on my Youtube channel in video format along with other great content. Subscribe today!