The late afternoon sun beamed down mercilessly on the shield of our sunglasses as my husband and I strolled through the track of a local high school in our neighborhood. We were scheduled to meet some friends there for an evening run.
Ok. Let's be real. My friends and husband actually ran. I huffed and puffed my way around the track, trying not to cry, while daydreaming about a burger. With fries.
I was recounting to my husband the details of a meeting I was recently a part of in which I walked away feeling as if I was not truly listened to.Though I knew in the back of my mind that this person had a stellar resume of accomplishments that truly deserved some sort of trophy, I couldn't help but feel slightly disrespected. It reminded me how important it is to be a good listener, regardless of what status you reach or what position you hold, higher or lower that the person sitting across the meeting table. That it makes a real difference in both business and personal interactions, can make or break a deal, can form an important connection or not.
My husband has worked in the corporate world for awhile, so needless to say, he's experienced his fair share of situations in which the concept of respect and listening to folks from all levels/positions was no where on the meeting agenda. In response to my after-work lament, he nods in understanding and sums up the importance of respecting people in one simple sentence:
"You know, the most important person at a hotel is the one who replaces the toilet paper."
Wisdom at it's finest, folks. We all know we never want to be caught without toilet paper.
Happy Wednesday!
Ok. Let's be real. My friends and husband actually ran. I huffed and puffed my way around the track, trying not to cry, while daydreaming about a burger. With fries.
I was recounting to my husband the details of a meeting I was recently a part of in which I walked away feeling as if I was not truly listened to.Though I knew in the back of my mind that this person had a stellar resume of accomplishments that truly deserved some sort of trophy, I couldn't help but feel slightly disrespected. It reminded me how important it is to be a good listener, regardless of what status you reach or what position you hold, higher or lower that the person sitting across the meeting table. That it makes a real difference in both business and personal interactions, can make or break a deal, can form an important connection or not.
My husband has worked in the corporate world for awhile, so needless to say, he's experienced his fair share of situations in which the concept of respect and listening to folks from all levels/positions was no where on the meeting agenda. In response to my after-work lament, he nods in understanding and sums up the importance of respecting people in one simple sentence:
"You know, the most important person at a hotel is the one who replaces the toilet paper."
Wisdom at it's finest, folks. We all know we never want to be caught without toilet paper.
Happy Wednesday!