“Forge deep connections. Maintain eye contact and listen carefully to people.” That’s the matchstick suggestion for this week. It’s a good one. Do you ever feel almost invisible when you’re talking with a group of people, or sometimes even when you’re communicating one on one with a person? Good listeners are a rarity. I’ve been to workshops on how to be a good listener. Actually, I’ve given workshops on the subject! I’m not much of a talker unless I feel comfortable with the person I’m talking to. Small talk is difficult for me so I tend to listen more than talk in most situations. It’s just goes along with being an introvert. But I need the advice too. I may be listening, but am I really hearing what they are trying to communicate? And, those articulate ones who I admire so much for their fluent ability with words, they may have an even harder time listening. But, for both introverts and extroverts, concentrating on what the other person is saying, really caring about what they have to say, is more than being polite. It’s an act of love.
Briefly Speaking 