How Personally Do I Take Things? - Thoughts from Kevin

Welcome to another episode of the Remarkable Leadership Podcast! In this episode, Kevin Eikenberry poses a thought-provoking question: "How personally do I take things?" Join Kevin as he delves into the effects of taking things personally and shares practical strategies to help you handle such situations more effectively. Whether you're a leader or simply looking to improve your communication skills, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice. Key Points Discussed: Reflecting on Personal Reactions: Kevin begins by asking listeners to ponder their own experiences with taking things personally and the impact it has on conversations and relationships. The Consequences of Defensiveness: How defensiveness can derail communication and lead to misunderstandings. Strategies to Manage Personal Reactions: Assume Positive Intent: Start by believing that others have good intentions, even if it’s hard to see. Assume Benign Intent: If positive intent is too difficult, consider that their actions may not be about you at all. Focus on Your Response: Sometimes it's best to not worry about their intent and concentrate on how you respond. Take a Deep Breath: A simple deep breath can help you stay calm and avoid a defensive reaction. Remove Yourself Temporarily: When necessary, step away from the situation to cool down and revisit the conversation later. Ask Clarifying Questions: Stay curious and ask questions to understand the other person's perspective better. Focus on Learning: Shift your focus to what you can learn from the feedback, even if you don’t agree with it. Final Thoughts: Kevin emphasizes that while these strategies can be challenging, they are ultimately helpful in improving communication and relationships. Subscribe and Learn More: If you found this episode helpful, consider subscribing to Kevin's email newsletter, "Your Remarkable Day." It’s a short, insightful newsletter sent out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to help you start your day on a positive note. https://kevineikenberry.com/newseltters  Remarkable Reminder: Defensiveness doesn’t help communication, trust, or relationships. Be careful not to assume everything is a personal slight. Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we’d be thrilled if you’d let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here’s a quick guide for posting a review. Review on Apple: https://remarkablepodcast.com/itunes    Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group   Podcast Better! Sign up with Libsyn and get up to 2 months free! Use promo code: RLP