Self Awareness: The Art of Not Sharing an Opinion
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Something that’s both simple and transformative — the art of not sharing an opinion.
Imagine how many relationships, reputations, workplaces, and situations would instantly improve if everyone had this presence of mind, level of self awareness, and discretion.
Sometimes, the most impactful (and/or kind, helpful, supportive) thing you can do in a conversation is to withhold your opinion. There’s a quote I’ve heard that perfectly sums this up: "A smart person knows what to say; a wise person knows whether or not to say it." Amen.
It would be glorious if more people practiced the art of knowing when not to share their opinions. It’s not about stifling your thoughts or pretending you don’t have an opinion — our brains are wired to form opinions. The key is discernment: knowing whether or not to share that opinion.
We’ve all encountered, and likely know people who, at the slightest provocation, feel compelled to share their thoughts on everything. Like an automatic reflex, they just have to give their two cents regardless of if it’s necessary, wanted, or helpful. And while there’s value in being expressive and adding to conversations, there’s even more value in knowing when to hold back.
Gut check yourself.
Some thoughts on how you can you level up in this area. When you’re tempted to share an unsolicited opinion, take a beat and check yourself with these few critical questions:
Does this person want to hear this? Do you think they are genuinely interested in what you have to say? It may feel harsh to realize the answer is no, but helpful to gut check.
Why am I saying this? Is it solely to make myself look smart or impress others?
Will this be annoying or hurtful to someone else? Is what you have to say needlessly negative? Or does it involve putting someone down, or bringing rain clouds to the picnic?
Is my opinion going to dampen someone else’s enthusiasm? Will this just “yuck someone else’s yum”?
Your impact on others matters.
Applying this filter will have a big impact on your relationships — whether they’re professional interactions, friendships, or romantic connections. It’s really all about self-awareness and developing the skill to know when it’s better to keep an opinion in it’s cage for the benefit of the relationship or situation.
Take this to heart. Practicing and mastering the art of not sharing an opinion is about being more wise when it comes to people and your communication. If everyone was more skilled and intentional in this area, I think many interactions would be a little bit better. Stay thoughtful:)
Related Blogs:
Improving Emotional Intelligence Part 4: Stop Talking Only About You
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This article was created by Galen Emanuele for the #culturedrop. Free leadership and team culture content in less than 5 minutes a week. Check out the rest of this month's content and subscribe to the Culture Drop at https://bit.ly/culturedrop