People don’t care about my point of view.
Or at least it feels that way sometimes.
Have you ever felt that way before, or is it just me?
And it’s not like I'm even whispering, nor is the place noisy; rather, it's more like I'm speaking, but no one is understanding me.
Not only is this feeling frustrating, but it can also be troubling.
Why Having a Voice is Important
Now, don’t get me wrong.
Although I don't always have an opinion, I support free speech and the right to express your opinions on any topic.
Our society today is filled with a lot of noise and distractions, so it’s become important to have a voice that is heard and to have a platform to voice your thoughts, ideas, and concerns.
Understanding Your Environment
Let’s try to recall the first time that you entered a new environment.
You would have assessed the environment and studied the people or your colleagues.
You'd also conduct some research to acclimate yourself to your new environment.
We all do this; it’s not a strange phenomenon.
But to the extent and the depth that we do it varies from person to person.
After some time, you would have acclimatized, and you would be comfortable and confident in that environment.
But here’s the thing: once you become comfortable and take ownership of the environment, you begin to view it differently.
The same holds true for your perceptions of people, their processes, and occasionally their behavior.
I know you’re probably wondering where I’m going with this, but stay with me for just a few more minutes.
A Pharmacy Encounter
Recently, I encountered an unusual situation when I visited my local pharmacy to buy some medication and various other items.
Despite the fact that most of the pharmacy staff knew me and that it wasn't my first visit, they completely ignored me.
It was as if I wasn’t there.
It was like greeting the customer was now abolished at this pharmacy.
I thought it was strange, and I tried not letting it bother me too much.
However, after two minutes of no real interaction, I decided to speak to the salesperson who was closest to me.
To my amazement, she showed no interest in engaging with me or anyone.
She quickly brushed me off and headed into the back office.
The other salesperson was serving a customer who was in front of me, so I decided to wait patiently for my turn.
While waiting, I began to look around.
The glass door was dirty with fingerprints, the air conditioning was not cooling very well, and there was a smell of tuna.
This wasn’t anything like my first impression.
Clearly things had taken a shift, and I hadn’t taken the time to notice.
You see, I had grown accustomed to and accepted the environment.
This happens with verbal communication as well.
Your language and engagement change ever so slightly as you become more comfortable.
The Power of A.C.E.
Now, let me share a little secret.
I love observing the dynamics between people; very often they confide and share some interesting tidbits with me as well.
From these engagements, I have heard opposing sides to stories, strong opinions, disappointments, and great achievements.
However, there is a common thread that unites everything, and it's incredibly simple.
It’s all about A.C.E. (Awareness, Communication, and Expectations).
Awareness
This is a big topic.
It starts with self-awareness, environmental awareness, and social awareness.
Unawareness of our interactions with each other can lead to problems.
Self-awareness involves looking inward to learn about and understand yourself.
You need to understand the environment you live and work in, and this could be as simple as maintaining a cool, hygienic space.
Social awareness is looking outward to learn about and appreciate others.
My question is: Are you able to understand the subtle cues that your colleagues project?
When you don’t exhibit a level of awareness, you will feel uncomfortable and unsettled, and that will translate into frustration.
Communication
This gives you leverage.
When you can communicate in a carefully modulated and rational manner, it will automatically give you an audience.
People would want to listen to you.
Good communication includes active listening and interjecting in a positive manner.
A pleasant demeanor can enhance the natural gift of a good orator.
When you display a favorable disposition, you become approachable and engaging.
Expectations
This requires constant management.
The reality is that you need to control your expectations to avoid spiraling into a frenzied state.
People within our space often disappoint and distress us.
They also have expectations of us, but our levels differ.
Imagine being completely unaware of yourself.
With poor communication skills and high expectations, you would quickly become unpopular with everyone around you and end up frustrated with life.
A person who feels unheard or ununderstood would exhibit this frustration.
If we drill down a bit more, this person will begin to feel victimized, mainly because they have not been able to articulate their challenges.
Final Thoughts
But before you judge, remember this: If you are not intentionally managing the A.C.E. within your world, you could easily become either a victim or a culprit.
Each of us can accept mediocrity and complacency to keep the peace.
But let me ask you this: are you trying to accept or inspire?
Do you want to have a positive impact or simply drift along?
The choice and decision are yours.
So, I suggest that you mute the noise and take a bold step and challenge the norm.
Bold is the new normal.
Catch you next Sunday!
