Are You an Elephant or Alligator? (Truby Tip about Being Others-Centered and Listening)

---

Last Updated on July 5, 2024 by Bill Truby

In the realm of constant communication, where every exchange is a delicate balance of connection and expression, one invaluable lesson stands out: the importance of adopting an elephant’s approach amidst a sea of alligator-like tendencies (to learn how to be others-centered).

---

Direct Video Transcript:

When we teach people about communication, we teach them many things, how to connect, how to have rapport and great listening skills, etc.

And one of the major teachings that we have embedded in our communication training is the importance of being other-centered, learning what the other person’s perspective is, what’s their concern, what is their perspective, what is their personality type?

When you know all of that, you can connect better. You can have greater rapport. You can be more spot on in your responses to their questions or the content that you’re talking about.

To remember this point about being other-centered and the importance of listening, to be able to do that, we suggest that you learn to be an elephant and not an alligator when it comes to communication.

What’s the difference? An alligator, all mouth and no ears. And you know people like that, don’t you?

We want to be an elephant. All ears, huge long trunk to nose around and figure out what’s going on, and a small mouth that comes to play only when necessary.

Be an elephant, not an alligator. And other people will appreciate that very much.

---