In the late nineteenth century, light conversation (or ‘small talk’ in modern English) was crucial to the success of an evening. Being refined was not about saying the right thing without having to think too hard nor was it about getting the other person to laugh at one’s charming, witty remarks. Instead, the ideal neighbor at a dinner party was the one who had mastered the fine art of asking questions.
Tag Archives: Self Improvement
How to Speak Clean
‘Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.’
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes
It’s not fair but it is true; people equate confidence with competence, and lack of confidence with lack of competence. If you seem confident in what you say, people will assume that you know what you are talking about. This means that your power to influence is to a large extent predicated on your ability to communicate with confidence.
How to give and receive Feedback
Feedback is information that we can use to learn how to do something better. Without feedback we would find it very difficult to learn, improve and communicate.
Sometimes gifts are just what we want, sometime they are practical and useful and sometimes they say more about the giver than the recipient. You can treasure the gift or put it aside to consider later or even throw it away.
The same goes with feedback.
In this article we will discuss two things:
1. Feedback Tips (giving and receiving)
2. Feedback Models.
Enabling Beliefs
We all have beliefs that we have formed from our experiences over time. Some beliefs are enabling and help us achieve our outcomes and others are limiting and hold us back.
You would be amazed how some beliefs that some people have held for ages continue to act powerfully and unhelpfully for them simply because they have remained unchallenged.
‘ You can’t teach an old dog new tricks ’ and ‘ Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t ’ can be extremely limiting beliefs to hold in some situations where a more constructive or positive outcome is desired.
Talking with that well known person
This is a simple guide showing you how to interact with someone more accomplished or more well known than you.