The 80/20

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The 80/20 This is something I learned throughout the time I was managing people. The 80/20. 80 percent of the time you should be listening and 20 percent of the time you should be handing out solutions. I have been blessed with a lot of experience working with people of all types and mindsets and I am glad to say I have learned a lot through them just by listening. In a conversation I am at most times the listener. When I hand out solutions it is normally in the form of questions and scenarios. I then let the person I am talking to or coaching decide which option is best for them. Once they choose an option and act on it, you have now empowered them with ownership of their actions and they will start thinking critically about the things they do in their lives that affect not only themselves but others around them. Another pitfall that you may encounter is, when listening to someone with their problems you envision yourself with that problem and how to deal with it. This will get you excited and might cause you to start handing out solutions. Stop yourself immediately. Just listen. Talk less. Remember 80% listening and 20% handing out objective solutions.