“I Am”

Communication doesn’t happen without listening.
Listening doesn’t happen when the listener is alienated.
Nothing alienates a listener faster than the repeated use of “I”.

A wise man and a great communicator passed on his secret, a secret that had in turn been passed to him early in his career.

“Take 10 letters/memos/e-mails that you’ve written trying to get something done, change someone’s mind, motivate your team, create activity.  Red circle every time you refer to yourself.  Now rewrite the message without referring to yourself.  Which version would you rather read?  Which version motivates better?  Which version focuses on the message?  Which version focuses on the messenger?”
I’m delighted to…
I’m glad that I am able to announce that I will…
I think we should…
In my opinion…
In my day we…
Where I come from we…
I promise that when I have time I will gather a group of my advisors and devote my full time and all of my skill and energy…

Beware the great “I Am”.