Not just a movie title. While Matt Damon's character's name was Will Hunting - let's try on an 
alternate meaning.
What if the next time you notice that you are negatively judging the person you are listening to - you try -"Good Will Hunting."
I personally know how much of a stretch this can be. Our judgments are often instantaneous and emotionally bone deep. Yet every time I can stop and just notice - I open myself up to an alternate space for both myself and the other person. Then, if I search for the possible goodwill in the other person's intention - the space opens up to learning, understanding and connection.
Need an example? How about:
- When someone is complaining and you start mentally moaning - oh no, not this again. Go "Good Will Hunting" and invent - they always like things to work out well or better.
- When you've heard the same story over and over again - and you think - how full of themselves they are. Go "Good Will Hunting" and invent - they like sharing good things with friends and I'm one of them, and maybe they need a little self-confidence and acknowledgement boost today.
Give it a whirl and let me know how it goes. And - if you haven't seen the movie - it's a script that was written by Matt Damon + Ben Affleck, and has the brilliant Robin Williams in a serious role.
Cheers,
Carrol
Carrol Suzuki is a master facilitator, trainer and coach. She is Principal of The Business of Listening, an organization she founded to train business leaders to get the best from their people and have their employees feel their ideas and concerns count.
For more information call/email:
- Carrol Suzuki (416) 391-1014
- carrol@listeningbetter.com
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