August 28, 2024

Hi, hi, hi my beautiful humans! 🌟

Have you ever been in a meeting, a gathering, a conversation, or just scrolling through social media, and found yourself drawn to the loudest voice in the room? The one who speaks with so much confidence and certainty that you can't help but nod along? We've all been there! But here's the thing: being the loudest doesn't always mean being the wisest. Let’s take a deeper dive -

“We pay too much attention to the most confident voices - and too little attention to the most thoughtful ones. Certainty is not a sign of credibility. Speaking assertively is not a substitute for thinking deeply. It’s better to learn from complex humans than smooth talkers.” - Adam Grant ✨

In a world that often equates confidence with competence, we sometimes forget to listen to those who are quietly contemplating, processing, and bringing deep insights to the table.

Now, don't get me wrong, confidence is powerful, impactful, and important. There's something magnetic about someone who carries themselves with assurance. But here’s the flip side: sometimes, confidence can lead people to speak just for the sake of speaking. They love the sound of their own voice, but what they’re saying doesn’t always hold much weight. It’s like filling a room with words, but without the substance to back it up.

And here’s where it can get tricky: sometimes when we’re feeling our most confident, we jump in too quickly. We speak on matters we don’t fully understand or weigh in on topics without having all the facts. We may be so sure of ourselves in the moment that we don’t stop to think if what we’re saying is actually true, valuable, or even relevant. And that, my friends, can come back to bite us.

This is why it pays to be thoughtful and intentional. Confidence is great, but when it’s paired with careful consideration and deep understanding, it becomes unstoppable. Taking the time to reflect, to question, and to really understand a topic before speaking up isn’t just wise, it’s essential. It’s how we avoid those “oops” moments and make sure that when we do speak, our words carry the weight they deserve.

Think about the people in your life who might not always be the first to speak up. The ones who listen, who take their time to consider all angles before they chime in. Their voices may not always be the loudest, but often, they have the most to say. When we only tune into the smooth talkers, we might be missing out on the complex, beautifully messy, and deeply insightful thoughts of those around us.

Imagine if we all made it a point to seek out these voices, to ask questions, and to lean into the richness of thoughtful conversation. How much more could we learn? How much more could we grow? So next time you find yourself drawn to the loudest voice in the room, take a step back. Look around. Who’s sitting there with that thoughtful look on their face? Ask them what they think. You might just be amazed at the depth of their insight.

So, my beautiful humans, let's make it a mission to listen more, to value thoughtfulness, and to appreciate the quiet brilliance in those around us. Because the world doesn’t just need more smooth talkers - it needs more complex humans who think deeply, who care, and who are willing to share their thoughtful wisdom with the rest of us, even if they need a gentle nudge in order to do it.

Until next time, stay curious, stay thoughtful, and remember, the quiet ones often have the wisest things to say.

Trust your journey. Rest your soul. Always leave people better than you found them, and have a thoughtful day and a long, safe, restful, fun holiday weekend ahead! 👽🫶🏻🧿