ASK QUESTIONS!

A university lecturer asked his students if they had any question after a particular class session. He got no response. The man paused, looked around carefully and said, “There’s simply no way on earth you can understand what I just taught!”

The students are facing the same problem we face every day; communicating effectively. Most of them could actually have questions but lack the courage to ask so as to avoid being labeled ‘stupid’. The same fear works in most people today. I feel it when I was in school and also now in the corporate world.

When you are speaking with someone and you don’t understand, you need to ask questions for clarification. If not, one is courting misunderstanding. Misunderstanding is a source of major conflicts, especially when left unhandled.

ADDING VALUE

I was having a discussion with one of my associates sometime back and he made a comment that the reason Bill Gates can’t be poor again is because of his high level of giving. First, he gave the world the user-friendly operating system, Windows. Now, he’s giving generously to charity to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, polio and many more diseases in developing nations.

If you are just a receiver, you can’t be adding value to others. You can’t attract people and other good things into your life. Instead, you will be a parasite, feeding on people. Sooner than later, people will get tired of you and want to avoid you like a plague.

Giving is more honorable than receiving. Giving can be in several ways: by listening more, contributing intelligently, helping out in the community or even at home, rendering

voluntary services and much more.

When you constantly think about how to add value, you will be amazed at the opportunities that will be presented to you. This will aid your development. Don’t expect anything in return when you add value. Be excited about it and see your life flow towards accomplishment.

Look out today where and how you can add value to others.