We live in a fast-paced society full of stimulation where efficiency is king. As a result, it’s easy to approach every conversation with the objective of reaching the end goal as quickly as possible.

When we do this, we prioritize a predetermined agenda to arrive at an outcome, which means we miss opportunities to listen and learn about the other person.

By slowing this process down and taking the time to clearly understand the other person’s perspective, we can build trust and safety while also clarifying what that person needs and wants.

***In MI, this refers to the idea of going slow to go fast. By reducing the pace initially to foster engagement, it allows us to move through the rest of the conversation more effectively and efficiently.