Quotes about Understanding

We must look at the lens through we see the world, as well as the world we see, and that the lens itself shapes how we interpret the world.

If you don't let a teacher know what level you are -- by asking a question, or revealing your ignorance -- you will not learn or grow

My experience has been that there are times to teach and times not to teach. When relationships are strained and the air charged with emotion, an attempt to teach is often perceived as a form of judgment and rejection.

By accepting people you're not condoning their weakness or agreeing with their opinion; you're simply affirming their intrinsic worth.

Is it logical that two people can disagree and that both can be right? It's not logical: it's psychological. And it's very real.

My friend, love is a verb. Love—the feeling—is a fruit of love, the verb. So love her. Serve her. Sacrifice. Listen to her. Empathize. Appreciate. Affirm her. Are you willing to do that?

Most believe that the key to influence is communication—getting your point across clearly and speaking persuasively. In fact, if you think about it, don't you find that, while others are speaking to you, instead of really listening to understand, you are often busy preparing your response?

Principles are the simplicity on the far side of complexity.

The real beginning of influence comes as others sense you are being influenced by them—when they feel understood by you—that you have listened deeply and sincerely, and that you are open. But most people are too vulnerable emotionally to listen deeply—to suspend their agenda long enough to focus on understanding before they communicate their own ideas.

As clearly and objectively as we think we see things, we begin to realize that others see them differently from their own apparently equally clear and objective point of view. "Where we stand depends on where we sit.

The more people are into quick fixes and focus on the acute problems and pain, the more that very approach contributes to the underlying chronic condition. The way we see the problem is the problem.

Two people can see the same thing, disagree, and yet both be right. It's not logical; it's psychological.