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A heart-warming letter
I received a three page handwritten letter today from "Julie," a reader. I wanted to frame it. She told me about how my books and newsletter have empowered her, and how she regards me as a mentor. She told a friend that I was her mentor but didn’t know it. Julie’s friend suggested she tell me. She did, in a letter that was beautiful and deeply moving.
I think of the mentors I’ve had in my life, including the one I'm studying with now, and I am humbly inspired to think that I might have even a fraction of the positive influence on someone that these people had on me.
Julie's letter makes me want to become available to interact more personally with my readers. I'm making plans to do that through teleseminars and more blog comment responses.
Many thanks to Julie for such a beautiful letter, and to her friend for insisting she write it. Her friend gets a SpeakStrong award.
Relationship by agreement
Speaking of mentors, the 3 Conversations teleseminar with my mentor Jeffrey Armstrong last week was fascinating. You’ll find the audio link and my review here.
One of the many recommendations Jeffrey detailed was his concept of “relationship by agreement.” That means you craft your relationships rather than leave them to habit and chance.
Jeffrey suggests you craft business relationships the same deliberate way. For example, I have my own style of working. While I like results, my work is also my play. When I get involved with business partners, I like competent, consistent people who will play with me as we get the job done. If I had to choose, I would rather get a little less done while having fun than get a lot done through drudgery.
Right now I’m sponsoring The UltiMate™ Relationship Seminar with a wonderfully savvy, playful woman. Our work together is a complete delight and continual play date.
Learn more about “relationship by agreement” and about last week’s teleseminar here.
My apologies to those who tried to register last week before we got the shipping glitch sorted out. It’s working fine now.
Yoga and relationships
This week we have another free teleseminar with Jeffrey Armstrong. This one focuses on The Yoga of Relationships. Register now.
This Week in the World comment
Meryl Runion |
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PowerPhrase of the Week
I understand how you could see it that way
When you have great communication with someone who thinks differently from you, it can be fascinating to find out how differently you interpret the same things. When you discover someone took your words in a way you never intended, before you clarify, acknowledge:
- I understand how you could see it that way.
If you don't understand, seek to understand before you clarify. That gives motivation for more dialogue.
Poison Phrase of the Week
We have no choice
Carl had a great suggestion, but the manager shot it down by saying
- We have no choice.
Carl knew there were lots of choices, but since the manager completely negated his attempt to point out options, and the room full of employees who knew there were lots of choices remained silent, Carl gave up his time-saving suggestion. Chances are Carl will be less likely to share his ideas in the future.
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Read the in-depth description of: |
Meryl,
When I learned a coworker’s spouse was terminally ill, I said, “God bless the family.” My supervisor later told me not to practice my religion in the workplace.
What should I have said?
Meryl Responds:
Plenty of people say “God bless” as a general expression of sympathy and well wishes without religious intent. That said: I suppose an atheist could feel excluded in a world where theism is so the norm. Perhaps you could say,
- I see the phrase “God bless” as being a general expression of good will, not an expression of any particular faith. I’m curious…why it’s an issue for you?
I personally would be very interested to know what his concerns are. Perhaps he’s being a bit literal in his definition of correctness.
Readers?
Do you have a communication question? You can Ask Meryl.
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There's lots of information about how to communicate |
Reader Discussion
Encouraging words
I need some encouraging words to say to high school graduates who will be attending college.
Suggestions?
Thanks.
Readers, can you help me out?
Reader Comments on Previous Newsletters
Blog comments:
Either Stop Complaining or Do Something About It
You know you're intellectualizing when...
Issue
316 July 15, 2008 |
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SpeakStrong Definition
To express yourself both powerfully &
effectively;
to say what you mean,
mean what you say,
without being mean
when you say it.