UNDERSTAND

[Sam Dennis]

Any and every relationship, whether it is with your spouse, your client, your employer, or the tech support person on the other end of the phone, is greatly enhanced by understanding. Make the effort to sincerely understand and to be clearly understood. Too often we allow assumptions to take the place of understanding. Assumptions are quick and easy. Unfortunately they're often just plain wrong. Understanding takes more time, more patience, and more work. It's worth the extra effort. Understanding can turn an adversarial relationship into a positive, productive one. Understanding can solve problems which previously seemed intractable. Understanding can leverage your efforts and broaden your knowledge. There is enormous positive value in the people around you. Understanding gives you access to that value and indeed makes it grow even stronger.