Gratitude: I Won't Learn Less

I am reading What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith.  I first learned of Marshall from his columns in Fast Company.  His writing was (is) just so down to earth real, in spite of his intellectuality, the myriad of little consonants that follow his name (which to his credit he does not wall paper his book with), and the fact that he coaches the most alien of species known to man; CEO's.

In his book, Marshall lists twenty habits that are a barrier to getting you there.  Habit # 17 is Failing to express gratitude.  He uses a few brilliant examples to explain the emotion-numbing effect of not saying thank you.  Here is the one that caught my attention:

My friend Chris Cappy, an expert in executive learning, has a saying that put this into perspective for me.  No matter what someone tells him, he accepts it by reminding himself, "I won't learn less."  What that means is when somebody makes a suggestion or gives you ideas, you're either going to learn more or learn nothing.  But you're not going to learn less.  Hearing people out does not make you dumber.  So, thank them for trying to help.

Four simple words to remember.  Four simple words that when said to one's self and followed by a thank you, will make the other person feel a bit more special.

Dave

www.daverothacker.com

Comments

[Rosa Say]

I have also been enjoying MG's book Dave. He shares a wealth of ways we can be so much more gracious, kind, and just plain smarter about the way we interact with others.

He repeatedly says that "thank you" is the best response we can give someone, and this tidbit you've shared here helps us listen to them so we can be genuine in saying so.

[David Zinger]

Thanks Dave:
I too appreciate Marshall Goldsmith and have told him so on a number of occasions. He was a memeber of the Order of the Golden Slacker at Slacker Manager a month ago.
David

[Angela Maiers]

Great post Dave! I wish that I had read your post earlier today. I just finished an afternoon presentation with teachers. The most frustrating thing for me to see in a teachers face is the look of "there is nothing more that I need or wish to learn." Oh how I would have liked to share this post. Next time, yes? Thanks for sharing such a simple and powerful insight. I look forward to adding Marshall Goldsmiths book to my list of must reads!

[Steve Sherlock]

After reading this David, I can walk away saying positively, "I won't learn less". Thank you!

[dave]

Thank you Rosa. :-)

David, you are now the 2nd person I know with a personal connection to Marshall. How cool! (Lisa Haneberg the other)

Why Angela? That's the question to ask of these teachers. If you haven't read it, go out today and pick up a copy of Made to Stick by the Heath brothers. Its lens will help one see a different perspective on teaching. "there will be no school next..." When you come to this sentence in the book a light will go off and suddenly, you'll have an aircraft carrier of arsenal to help you deal with the starry-eyed teachers.

You sure didn't Steve :-)