Three Ways Saying I Helps Listening

To come to "seeing eye to eye," start by speaking "I" to "I"! Like this: "I will..." "I am..." "I enjoy..." "I hate..." "I love..." "I do..." "I know..." "I fear..." "I trust..." "I have said..." "I grieve..." These and many more "I" verbs are powerful sentence starters.

Saying "I" makes listening more connectable. Every "I" is a receptor where another person can connect who needs or wants to be heard with his or her own "I" story. Saying "I" is spoken vulnerability and invites spoken vulnerability in return.

Saying "I" makes listening more creditable. Searching deep to know clearly what I want, or believe, or will do, means that my communication will have the ring of honesty and authenticity. My choice to say "I" reminds me to do this deep research.

Saying "I" makes listening unassailable. The speaker stands on strong footing because no one but "I" can know for sure the experience of "I." Listeners will not be sidetracked into debate or analysis, and can focus on giving the gift of listening.

Copyright 2014 Wilma Zalabak