"When we proceed too quickly to what people might be requesting, we may not convey our genuine interest in their feelings and needs; instead, they may get the impression that we’re in a hurry to either be free of them or to fix their problem. Furthermore, an initial message is often like the tip of an iceberg; it may be followed by as yet unexpressed, but related—and often more powerful—feelings. **By maintaining our attention on what’s going on within others, we offer them a chance to fully explore and express their interior selves**. We would stem this flow if we were to shift attention too quickly either to their request or to our own desire to express ourselves." --- **Tags** -- [[quotes]], [[expressing-needs]], [[listening]], [[action-bias]], [[not-speaking]], [[crucial-conversations]], [[interpersonal-skills]], [[communication-skills]] **Source** -- [[251115105628 - B - Nonviolent Communication]]