The man said, “You struggle in your relationships because you are trying to convince more than you connect.”

The speaker was talking about business relationships. One of the reasons we struggle in the workplace is because we are out to prove we are right rather than listening to the people around us. We are desperate to convince people of our viewpoint that we forget to connect to them as people.

But the application is greater than that. 

With your spouse, many struggles (especially early in marriage) are you trying to convince them that your actions are the correct way to do things.

With unbelievers, Christians try to beat people over the head with their faith without caring about the other person’s feelings. 

Interestingly, the more we connect to people, the greater the chance they will begin to see things from our viewpoint. Connection becomes the key to convincing.

The next time you find yourself in conflict, ask yourself, “Is this because I am defending my views and trying to convince the other person I am correct?” If so, maybe it is time to rethink your attitude and try to connect to that person through listening and becoming sympathetic.

One way fosters your ego and the other relationships.