I have to be careful to avoid:
- Filling silence because I am uncomfortable
- Sharing every thought that has come to me
- Thinking of things to say for the sake of it
- Contributing more than my fair share to conversation
- Turning the conversation to myself
- Viewing meeting sharing limits at targets not caps
- Going over time because I haven’t finished
- Giving people advice they did not ask for
- Engaging people who signal wanting to be left alone
- Raising topics so I can vent my views
- Trying to find out why people are upset or quiet
- Thinking aloud
- Commenting on my own errors or disorganisation
- Justifying
- Explaining
- Defending
- Sharing intentions
- Bragging
I’ve still got a way to go.
I'm going to take a leaf out of Cogey's book.