Coaching Corner: Conversations gone wrong!
By "Coach" Marilou Butcher Roth
Yesterday, I was speaking with a client and one of the situations they brought up was about an interaction where an assumption was made based upon their thoughts. Notice...I said “thoughts.” It reminded me of how very often, we make up our own stories, without any facts to back up what is happening in our minds! We interpret a look, or even a lack of words in our own minds, without truly knowing the intent of the other person.
You all know the old saying about making assumptions, don’t you? Something about when you assume, it makes an ass of you and me -- although I may not have it exact, its something close to that. And honestly, this is really good advice, and well worth heeding!
When you find yourself in a situation where you think you know what is happening, or what someone else is feeling and a great story begins in your mind...stop...check it out! Is this true? I believe when you begin to double check your imagination, you will often find that your story is not quite as accurate as you thought!
Now, here is the other area of communication where I have noticed some issues -- some people use way too many words!!! You know what I am talking about -- where you hear the same thing, several different ways. Perhaps these people do not realize that you got it the first time! We, as a society use many more words than necessary!!
This week, pay attention to both of these areas -- notice when you are “making up stories” and also when you find yourself using more words than needed! Time to clean up our conversations, and you might find yourself enjoying them even more!!
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
