No two people are alike. Two peas in a pod. The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.
No matter how frequently one hears a clich’eacute; being said, sometimes it is truer than one would believe.
Take for example the chance meeting of two strangers. Both parties are equally apprehensive in their approach. Neither really knows too much about the other person except for the first impression, which usually involves a look or a glance and a smile.
A first impression should be a good impression, as the clich’eacute; goes.
We all know there’s a 50-50 chance between a good and bad impression. We also know that just because one started off on the wrong foot doesn’t mean that the pieces cannot be put back together better than before.
The concept is simple. In every relationship, business, school or personal, there needs to be good communication. However, execution of the concept and dealing with the aftermath is perhaps the most difficult.
Two people are paired together for a project or as partners for the semester. The person who paired them obviously felt there was some sort of connection between them otherwise he or she would not have paired together in the first place.
Once a pair has been made, it is ultimately up to them to make things work, to communicate their likes and dislikes and to basically form a bond that will last a long time.
But, of course, that’s not always the case. Just because two people are paired them together doesn’t mean that they will always get along. It also doesn’t mean that efforts are not being made, it is just that one person, or both, people are not being receptive.
This takes us back to having good communication skills and our ability to utilize them to the fullest.
Within every person lies a voice that wants to be heard. A voice that is strong and determined to make its presence known to the world. However, a person’s voice is only as good as the person it resides in.
Whether we’re having a simple conversation with friends and family or having a meeting with our employers or professor, we utilize our voices everyday. But often we don’t use them. Out of fear, we don’t stand up for what’s right in the world. We don’t defend ourselves in compromising situations or stand behind those who are clearly vocalizing what we are thinking.
Like our minds, our voices are terrible things to waste. But more often than not people choose not to say anything about the sticky compromising situations. We choose to back down when others, who perhaps have stronger voices, talk over us or make us feel uncomfortable, as if we are going against them and their beliefs. Of course that may not be the case, but that’s how it is perceived.
There really is no right or wrong answer when dealing with people. We may think our answer is right but if it’s not supported with information or by people then it is words falling on ears that are simply not listening.
So what is one to do when all efforts seem to be lost? You try again with a different, more developed approach. You find a common ground with a person or group of people in order to make the situation or relationship bearable; a common ground that can be easily met if all involved parties are willing and see a collective, desired change in the status quo.
But we have to have courage and confidence in ourselves to not back down. We have to learn that just because someone disagrees with us that does not make them right.