by Christi Barrett | Communication, Mutual Understanding
How many times have you asked a question – hoping to engage others – and the only response is silence? That can be pretty unnerving, and if you’re like me, your first impulse is to keep talking, to provide more background, to fill the dreaded empty...
by David Wheatley | Communication, Mutual Understanding
I’m reading The Power of Questions by Scott Richards. One question I try to ask myself regularly is, “Why Am I Talking?” Easily remembered as WAIT, this could be a helpful mantra for many people. Distracted by excitement or impatience or...
by Christi Barrett | Communication, Mutual Understanding
Profound wisdom from Albert Einstein: “If you can’t explain it simply, then you don’t understand it well enough.” I was reminded of this quotation when I attempted to gain an understanding of our family’s new healthcare coverage....
by Christi Barrett | Conflict
Carla and Timothy were part of the team working on a crucial project. Timothy was tasked with completing all aspects of the design. Unfortunately, he missed a deadline by several days, and Carla was miffed. Truth: People don’t always live up to our expectations....
by Christi Barrett | Influence
We recently had a fascinating team discussion about business development. Experts say that the vast majority of successful sales conversations involve the buyer talking more than the seller. (No wonder we are turned off by the fast-talking used car salesperson!)...