Tell me more
© Pete Longworth
I’ve got three words that will change your life and the lives of those around you: “Tell me more.”
Use these words when you can sense there’s more to a conversation than someone is saying. Use them to power through an awkward silence and dive deeper. Use them when someone is upset or frustrated so that you can help them get their emotions out on the table and diffuse the situation. Use them to stop yourself from talking when you know you should be listening. Use them instead of asking a question, which could potentially derail the conversation. Use them to get important context about a person’s beliefs, opinions, and emotions. Use them when you want to truly understand what’s on the mind and the heart of the person in front of you. Use them to empower people to find their own solutions instead of giving all the answers.
“Tell me more” encourages people to keep going. It gives permission to be vulnerable. It creates the space for people to share. It empowers people to look inward instead of looking elsewhere for the answers.
To be a good leader, you must be a good listener. And you only become a good listener when you learn that listening isn’t about responding. It’s about inviting the other person to look within themselves, say what they need to say, and come to their own conclusions.
I’m so grateful to my dear friend and mentor Bob Chapman who taught me this. These three little words are mighty.
Big hugs,
