We send strong signals by how much, or how little, we pay attention to others. If we come across as not being interested in the other person, our disengagement is costly.
What are you thinking?
Are you dealing with an adult who is disengaged during conversations?
For example, they check their cell phone repeatedly while you’re speaking with them. Or, they change the subject abruptly, which shows they’re not listening.
Now, what’s with that?
For one, it’s a signal that they lack focus. Regardless of their intention, they’re telling you what you’re saying is unimportant to them.
Do they know this is happening?
Granted, the disengaged individual may be clueless.
Some of this is cultural, particularly among some age groups that send texts to the person sitting next to them! However, that “normal communication” isn’t acceptable for most adults.
And, worse yet, they may very well have been told about these concerns regarding their lack of focus.
Unfortunately, to this point, being told hasn’t changed the person’s behavior.
Disengagement is Costly!
Ultimately, damaged credibility is tough to repair when others are expecting attention and empathy.
But, what fixes this problem of disengagement in one-on-one interactions?
If the person is unwilling to listen to sound advice then one “fix” is for them to suffer the consequences of their careless behavior.
Granted, that’s a hard way to learn!
For a person of faith, asking in faith is one way to become wiser. However, be prepared to hear back that we must make better use of what’s already been revealed to us! proverbsforprofessionals.net
The Precept
The second phrase of Proverbs 14.8 suggests that a foolishly overconfident person is self-deceived. That is, they convince themselves that what they’re doing is perfectly acceptable.
But, their disengagement is costly because they fail to see the impact of their behavior on others.
In contrast, the first half of that verse says a critical thinking person is discerning about where he or she is going. Hence, the importance of self-awareness.
Similarly, in Proverbs 23.9, Solomon advises us to not waste time speaking with someone who is foolishly overconfident.
That foolishly overconfident person simply will not grasp the wisdom of what we’re saying to them! They don’t see what’s really essential. Ouch!
Apply This Today!
Becoming wise requires learning from life experiences.
Those experiential insights from our life experiences can have a dramatic impact on the decisions we make, thus on the quality of life we enjoy.
The catch? If we’re foolishly overconfident we never learn from those life experiences!
I’m Dale Young. My posts share the balanced life to build wise character and guide wise behavior.
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