“In your last conversation, were you truly listening — or were you just waiting for your turn to speak?”
— Relationship Skills
i2 Insights: Skill Categories
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What Don’t You Know About Them?
“Think of a colleague you work with every day. What do you actually know about what matters to them — beyond work?”
— Relationship Skills
When Did You Last Build on Someone’s Idea?
“When was the last time you took someone else’s half-formed thought and helped shape it into something better — instead of offering your own?”
— Relationship Skills
Do People Feel Safe Around You?
“If someone on your team had a risky, half-baked idea — would they feel safe bringing it to you first?”
— Relationship Skills
Zoom Out Before You Zoom In
Before diving into a task, spend 10 minutes mapping out the broader landscape. What adjacent problems exist? What opportunities are you not seeing because you’ve already narrowed your focus?
Ship It Scrappy
Take something you’ve been polishing and share it at 80% done. Tell the recipient: “This isn’t finished — I’d rather get your input now than perfect it alone.” Notice how much faster you move.
Ask “What’s Underneath?”
Take a problem you’re working on and ask “why?” three times in a row. Each answer should go deeper than the last. The real issue is usually hiding below the surface.
Collect Solutions, Don’t Crown One
In your next brainstorm, aim to leave with three viable options instead of one winner. Label them A, B, and C — and resist ranking them until tomorrow.
Borrow Someone Else’s Lens
Find a colleague who sees things differently from you. Ask them: “How would you approach this?” Listen without defending your own view. Just take notes.
Make It a “We” Project
Take something you’ve been working on solo and invite one person to co-create part of it with you. Share an unfinished draft and say: “What would you add?”