In your next one-on-one, pretend you’re interviewing the other person for a story. Focus only on understanding their experience. Don’t offer advice. Just ask follow-up questions.
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Listen to Learn, Not to Win
In your next conversation, count how many times you start formulating your response while the other person is still talking. Each time you catch yourself, reset and refocus on their words.
Disagree With Curiosity
The next time someone says something you disagree with, replace “I don’t think so” with “Help me understand how you see it.” Treat their view as data, not a debate point.
Lead With the Reason
The next time you share a recommendation, start with “I think this because…” before stating what you think. Watch how differently people engage when they understand your reasoning first.
Cut to What Counts
Look at your current to-do list. Cross out everything that’s urgent but not important. What’s left? That’s where your attention should go.
Agree on the Problem First
Before jumping into solutions in your next meeting, ask the group: “Can someone describe the problem we’re solving in one sentence?” Don’t move on until everyone nods.
Sit With the Mess
When you feel the urge to tidy up ambiguous data or force a conclusion, stop. Write down what you don’t know yet. Carry that list for 24 hours before trying to resolve it.
Connect Before You Collaborate
Start your next meeting by asking each person one non-work question. Something simple — what they watched last night, what they’re looking forward to this weekend. Notice how it changes the energy.
Build Forward Together
In a group conversation, choose to be the person who connects other people’s ideas. Say things like: “That builds on what Sarah said earlier — what if we combined them?”
Make Space, Not Noise
In your next meeting, try speaking 30% less than usual. Use that space to actively listen. After the meeting, ask yourself: did the conversation go better or worse?