Getting a word in edgewise: Take back the power!

We’re looking at a lot of cusps this week—the ending of one year and the beginning of another; the end of a decade and the beginning of the latest edition of the roaring ’20s, so I figured I’d do a quick kickoff post for your consideration.

I suspect that at some point in time over the years (or perhaps even over the minutes of each and every day), you have found yourself in a conversation that is more of a soliloquy (and not your soliloquy) as you attempt to “get a word in edgewise.” I find that engaging with a conversational steamroller is among the most frustrating occurrences (not the least being the steamroller’s seeming inability to “listen” and/or “hear” what anyone else is saying). So, as I was looking over various feeds last week, I came across an article about just this topic. Truth be told, while I found the information contained therein very thought-provoking, I haven’t been able to put these concepts to the test just yet so I can’t personally vouch for their efficacy. But I “see” the logic (and the simplicity) of the suggestions enough to definitely want to give it a try moving forward. I don’t know that I would call it a “New Year’s Resolution,” but anything that can increase the effectiveness of personal communications can’t be a bad thing.

On that note, please accept my fondest wishes for a 2020 full of personal and professional success and development and my thanks for sticking with me through the vagaries of my “head” space. I’m glad to have you all aboard!

About the Author: Steve MacArthur is a safety consultant with The Greeley Company in Danvers, Mass. He brings more than 30 years of healthcare management and consulting experience to his work with hospitals, physician offices, and ambulatory care facilities across the country. He is also a contributing editor for Healthcare Safety Leader. Contact Steve at stevemacsafetyspace@gmail.com.