Mastering the Art of Candor: A Guide to Honest Expression

Candor is a valuable trait that fosters openness and authenticity in communication. Being candid involves expressing thoughts, feelings, and opinions honestly, yet tactfully.

Sometimes being candid is hard, because we do not want to hurt anyone’s feelings in the process.  However, candor is essential for living authentically and if we are going to live a life that is open and honest we need to be able to have candid conversations. 

Let’s dig into how we can express candor effectively.

1.   Self-awareness: Before expressing candor, it's crucial to be self-aware. Reflect on your own emotions, motivations, and biases. Understanding your perspective allows you to communicate more genuinely.

2.  Choose the right time and place: Timing is key when expressing candor. Pick a suitable moment and a private setting to ensure your message is received with the attention it deserves. Avoid discussing sensitive matters in public or high-stress situations.

3.   Be specific and clear: Clearly articulate your thoughts to avoid misunderstandings. Provide specific examples or instances that support your viewpoint. Clarity helps others grasp the essence of your message.

4.  Use "I" statements: Frame your thoughts using "I" statements to express your feelings and opinions without sounding accusatory. This approach fosters personal responsibility and promotes understanding.

5.  Balance honesty with empathy: While being honest, consider the feelings of the other person. Expressing candor doesn't mean being blunt or insensitive. Balance your honesty with empathy to create a constructive dialogue.

6.  Active listening: Encourage a two-way conversation by actively listening to the other person's perspective. Understanding their viewpoint enhances mutual respect and facilitates more open communication.

7.   Offer solutions: If your candor involves addressing a problem, suggest potential solutions. This proactive approach demonstrates your commitment to finding resolutions and fosters a collaborative atmosphere.

8.  Handle reactions gracefully: Not everyone may react positively to candid feedback. Be prepared for different responses and handle them with grace. Maintain a calm demeanor and be open to further discussion.

9.  Practice humility: Acknowledge that your perspective is just one of many. Embrace humility and be open to the possibility that others may see things differently. This promotes a culture of continuous learning and growth.

10. Build trust over time: Candor is most effective in a relationship built on trust. Consistently practicing open and honest communication helps establish trust over time, strengthening the foundation for genuine connections.

By combining self-awareness, empathy, and clear communication, we can express candor in a way that fosters understanding and promotes positive connections with others. I truly believe this done over and over again creates a relationship built on trust.  And in doing so will enhance personal and professional relationships and help us to live an authentic life.  Isn’t that what life is all about?

Welcome your thoughts on how you have mastered the art of candor. Share in the comments below!

Happy Thursday all,

-srt

Nurturing Curiosity: Unlocking your Inner Thomas Edison

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." - Thomas Edison

Curiosity, the dynamic force propelling innovation, has steered humanity through remarkable discoveries. Thomas Edison, a prominent inventor, emerges as a symbol of curiosity, showcasing how persistent questioning and exploration can reshape the world.

Why Thomas Edison? The answer unfolded as I immersed myself in "American Experience: Edison" on PBS, rekindling thoughts of his life, inventions, and impact on American society. In line with our performance objective of fostering an innovative environment, I discovered inspiration in the steps Edison took. Let's delve into it...

Inquisitive Early Years:

Edison's curiosity journey commenced in his formative years, where he transformed his family's basement into a laboratory. His thirst for knowledge led to countless experiments, revealing a genuine fascination with understanding the world from a young age.

The Persistence of a Curious Mind:

Edison's career was marked by an unwavering pursuit of solutions. The invention of the practical electric light bulb, after numerous failed attempts, showcased his tenacious curiosity. Viewing failure not as a setback but as a step closer to success, Edison embodied the resilience that curiosity instills.

Diverse Interests and Multidisciplinary Approach:

Edison's curiosity transcended boundaries, touching various fields from motion pictures to the phonograph. His multidisciplinary approach demonstrates how curiosity, given free rein, leads to groundbreaking discoveries across seemingly unrelated domains.

Problem-Solving and Innovation:

Curiosity for Edison wasn't just about asking questions; it was about solving problems. Inventions like the phonograph aimed at enhancing the human experience, highlighting how curiosity acts as a powerful catalyst for positive change.

Embracing Failure as a Stepping Stone:

Edison's famous quote, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work," encapsulates his attitude towards failure. Setbacks fueled his curiosity and determination, showcasing the transformative power of a curious mind.

Which leads to how might we embrace curiosity in our lives starting with the most simple which is to ask thoughtful questions and going from there.

1. Ask Thoughtful Questions: Challenge yourself to ask thought-provoking questions about the world around you. Whether pondering everyday items or questioning norms, the habit of asking questions fuels curiosity.
2. Experiment and Overcome Failure: Edison's quote underscores the importance of experimentation. Engage in hands-on experiences, tinker with ideas, and overcome failure as a stepping stone toward discovery.
3. Diversify Your Interests: Cultivate a multidisciplinary mindset by exploring interests beyond your primary focus. Embracing diverse subjects broadens your perspective and sparks new connections between seemingly unrelated concepts.
4. Continuous Learning: Edison's appetite for knowledge fueled lifelong learning. Engage in continuous learning through books, online courses, podcasts, or workshops to nurture your curiosity.
5. Collaborate and Share Ideas: Foster a collaborative environment by sharing thoughts and ideas. Engaging in discussions, seeking feedback, and learning from diverse perspectives enriches understanding and fuels collective curiosity.
6. Challenge the Status Quo: Question the status quo, whether reimagining work processes or proposing innovative solutions. A curious mindset prompts you to challenge existing norms and explore new possibilities.

Thomas Edison's legacy teaches us that curiosity is an active pursuit, not a passive trait. By asking questions, experimenting, diversifying interests, embracing continuous learning, fostering collaboration, and challenging the status quo, you can unlock your inner Edison. Every question asked and every failure encountered brings you closer to illuminating your path with newfound insights and discoveries.

Happy Thursday all,

-srt

Journaling Impact

Embracing the notion that the New Year unfolds as a vast, blank canvas, we hold the power to decide and plan the strokes we paint upon it. However, as the initial enthusiasm of the New Year week subsides, the daily challenges at work and domestic responsibilities can swiftly divert our attention from our well-crafted plans. In this whirlwind, I have discovered the transformative impact of journaling, serving as a compass to stay connected with both my professional and personal priorities.

My journey with journaling began in college, initially as a means to capture ideas, but over time, the discipline and routine cultivated a profound self-awareness. Extended periods of journaling unveil recurring patterns, enabling introspective work. Moreover, journaling acts as a therapeutic tool, aiding in stress reduction and the processing of life experiences. Commencing this practice is remarkably simple – all that is required is a journal and the commitment to start writing! While I've explored various journaling frameworks over the years, I have recently adopted the 20/20/20 formula from Robin Sharma's The 5am Club, both last year and this year. The simplicity of this framework is its strength: 20 minutes for movement 20 minutes for mindfulness (goals/affirmations) 20 minutes for mastery (learning/growing) Admittedly, moving my hand to write doesn't count as "movement" (laughter), so my focus in the journal is on mindfulness and mastery. Mindfulness, allocated for 20 minutes, is a period of intense focus. Beginning with reflection, I delve into aspects that hold significance and true value in my life. Documenting ambitions, expressing gratitude, acknowledging achievements (and disappointments), and outlining goals and affirmations allow me to consolidate my thoughts on paper. This process enables me to concentrate on a chosen few, turning gratitude into a thank-you note or translating a documented goal into actionable steps. Personal affirmations, revolving around values, worthiness, or strengths, serve as powerful motivators. The final 20 minutes are dedicated to mastery, the time when I actively invest in learning and personal growth. Reading articles, completing chapters from books, utilizing training modules like Develop You, and occasionally listening to audiobook chapters contribute to this phase of focused development. I encourage you to consider journaling as a means to foster self-reflection, enhance emotional well-being, and gain clarity on thoughts and feelings. It provides a structured avenue for self-expression, goal-setting, and profound insights.

Happy Thursday all,

-srt

Happy New Year!

I don’t really do New Years resolutions.  Never really have.  But, this year, on New Years Eve I am making a commitment to myself (actually two).  

I reread the The 5am Club by Robin Sharma over the holiday break and was reminded of how essential my 5am to 6am pacific hour is.  

In The 5am Club, Sharma encourages all to use the 5am hour to move, be mindful and master a topic (20 / 20 / 20 framework).  So, one commitment to self will be to hold sacred this time (and mark it as OOO) because using this time wisely has always helped to ready me for the day.  As Sharma says, “the way you start your day powerfully shapes how productively you live it.”  

Next, I want to invest time in reflection and will spend time journalling ideas, things I am grateful for, bucket list items and areas where I can focus on and simplify. 

Happy New Year lovelies!

-srt