You don't tell people who disagree with you they'd be better off somewhere else. And you don't reduce them to stereotypes; you address them as fully formed people worthy of respect. You try to persuade them.
Peggy NoonanRead
When you forget yourself and your fear, when you get beyond self-consciousness because your mind is thinking about what you are trying to communicate, you become a better communicator
Interpretation
What this quote means
To improve communication, focus on the message rather than self-doubt.
This quote emphasizes the importance of transcending self-awareness and fear in order to enhance one's ability to communicate effectively. By concentrating on the message you wish to convey rather than on how you are perceived, you can connect more authentically with your audience and become a more effective communicator.
Themes
CommunicationSelf-AwarenessFearMessageConnection
In practice
Example use cases
During a public speaking event, one could use this quote to encourage speakers to focus more on their content than their nerves.
More from Peggy Noonan
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Peggy NoonanRead
If you join government, calmly make your contribution and move on. Don't go along to get along; do your best and when you have to - and you will - leave, and be something else.
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We must try again to be alive to what the people of our country really long for in our national life: forgiveness and grace, maturity and wisdom. ...Our political leaders will know our priorities only if we tell them, again and again, and if those priorities begin to show up in the polls.
Peggy NoonanRead
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