Picture
I mean, do you really care about people?  Many people, and maybe all of us at times, pretend to care about others with our words, but really don't in our actions.  We pretend to listen only enough to talk.  We pretend to hear what others are saying.  Maybe we want to care more, but don't really know how.

One of the best books I've ever read was How to Win Friends and Influence People because it teaches us how to actually show people we care.  One of my favorite chapters in the book talks about how our name is the most important word in the world to us.  It's true.  Especially if you have a long or uncommon name.  Doesn't it feel great to hear people actually call you by your REAL name instead of a nickname?  Maybe you like your nickname better than your name.  Let me know.

Back to listening.  Listening, truly listening, is a skill that we don't usually learn when we learn how to speak.  We often are silent, waiting for our turn to talk, but we are not really HEARING.  When you truly heard, you know what the person said, possibly even what they actually meant or why they said it.  We can learn by our natural intuitive skills, if we allow ourselves to do so.  Listening, truly listening, and understanding are two essential parts of effective communication.

Do you want someone to listen to you?  Try me, I'll listen.  I'll listen to the point that I'll know how to help you, or simply that you don't want to be helped but simply want to talk.

Lisa Starr
Corporate/Life Coach