Stick to your words, but don’t be stuck with your words
Intelligence means to know when to stick to our words and when to not stay stuck with our words. Our trustworthiness is determined, in the [...]
Choose silence in these 3 situations
Three situations when silence is our best friend, summarized by the acronym NOT: First is N when we have a negative opinion or attitude or [...]
Be managers not damagers
Just because we can't manage doesn't mean we have to damage. Sometimes things go out of our control and especially if we are supposed to [...]
Verbal restraint and verbal candour
If we sweep too many things under the rug, then what we end up with is not a rug but a lumpy path that only [...]
How to share wisdom effectively
Sharing wisdom effectively is not about convincing others that we are right. It is about connecting them with the Lord in their heart, who is [...]
How to speak more effectively: Cross or Across?
Whenever we have a difference of opinion with someone, wherein despite our best attempts to persuade them, they just don't seem to get our point, [...]
When winning an argument backfires …
Suppose we come to know that an acquaintance has a harmful misconception. To protect them, we try to counter that misconception, and an argument ensues. [...]
The power of words: be aware and beware
When we use something regularly, we may forget how powerful it is. Consider electricity. As it is widely available, we tend to forget its importance [...]
Three benefits of hearing open-mindedly
When someone disagrees with us, especially on an issue that is important to us, we may feel threatened. Consequently, we may hear them primarily to [...]
How Krishna’s words demonstrate the discipline of speech that he recommends
In the Bhagavad-gita (17.15), Krishna outlines the characteristics of disciplined speech. Let’s consider how those characteristics are demonstrated by Krishna’s words in the Gita. Non-agitating: [...]
Two ways to make our speech more effective
Two ways to make our speech more effective- “How can I make my speech more effective?” We all have probably asked ourselves this question, especially [...]
Seek more to connect than to correct
Seek more to connect than to correct - On the brink of the Mahabharata war, Arjuna was overwhelmed by misdirected compassion and was about to [...]
When being truthful makes us unhelpful …
When being truthful makes us unhelpful - Suppose a first-grade student struggling with math approaches their teacher and says: “This is so difficult.” And the [...]
How to speak an unpalatable truth?
How to speak an unpalatable truth? - Truth is unpalatable — we may quote this saying while speaking to others some truth that is likely [...]
Be fearless not tactless
Be fearless not tactless - Suppose a soldier feels inspired to fight fearlessly against a tyrannical invading army. But if he just charges single-handedly at [...]