Why you should work on talking less instead of more

Why you should work on talking less instead of moreWhy you should work on talking less instead of moreUsing our voice is core to understanding our power. Its integral in anchoring where we deserve to be. It helps us advocate for our own needs and the needs of those we love. Using our voice, communicating our stories, sharing our experiences, is one of the great tools we have in propelling our ascent.However,the more you listen, the more potent your voice becomes.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreBut weve got to shut the hell up every once in a while. We have to stop being so concerned about proving what we know and what weve been through and why were right, and instead absorb. Instead, ask. Instead, look for whats not being said.When youre so busy talking, and making points, and showing your opinions, you miss so much of the picture. You miss whats in their eyes. You miss the chan ce to ask really powerful and pointed questions. You miss steering the ship with thoughtful inquiries. You can drive the direction of any meeting, of any conversation, of any connection, more with questions than with points.If you can shut up, youll get to breath.If you can shut up, youll get to listen.If you shut up, youll get to feel whats going on. Observe whats happening.If you shut up, youll feel your answers, the data, the knowing.Its hard to do all of these things when the broadcasting is endless.And as someone whos core qualities is that of a talker, I can tell you Im in progredienz with this lesson. I will be my whole life. But Ive found that facilitating other peoples stories, other peoples genius, other peoples thoughts it allows me to learn quicker. It allows me to steer. It allows me to connect. It allows me to help them find their own answers. It allows me to allow them to feel seen.The last is the most important to me, because isnt that what were all searching for? T o give someone the gift of feeling seen, youve got to learn to shut up first.This article originally appeared on Maxie McCoy.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people