Persistence need not always be loud and can very well come across as soft yet bold. Its disappointing to see the human tendency to believe only the loudest and not the quiet. Why is dynamism often associated with the blabbering souls and not with the thinkers who passively and persistently deal with a situation ? Why is small talk often valued, when the occasional speech carries the whole weight? Why aren't people patient enough to look beyond the exterior walls which can have an empty vessel making noise or a full brimmed pot that stays stable? Why do people assume that talkers can think, but thinkers may not talk?
People skills do not mean talking alone, it requires an immense skill of listening too! In fact, the silent ones are often noted to have made the most compelling speeches ever, because they think and listen, before they talk. (to be contd)
(p.s. I feel so assured after reading the Quiet by Susan Cain)
3 Comments:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I was ranting about the same on someone's blog the other day. The blogger was complaining about 'clueless word-spitters', and I about 'conversation hijackers', and those with loudspeakers shoved up their throats, and not to mention the awful don't-think-don't-listen-but-talk types you just said.
I tried the above tricks few times but ended up feeling uncivilized every time I used them. For the last few years, I stopped contributing to conversations that include any of the above. People often mistake my silence for shyness or introversion but I am okay with that tag :)
Same here, I stopped contributing to any formal, informal discussions that did not allow me to talk beyond the obvious and was even accused of missing team meetings. I found myself effective when externalizing my thoughts to one solid thinker rather than a host of surface skaters.
P.s: good to see you come back.
I just finished reading something, and desperately looking for the next one. I haven't heard about 'Quiet' before. Will check it out then !?
I am so sorry I haven't returned your call. I will soon! :)