Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

When an otherwise rational person starts speaking nonsense—pay attention as something important is happening.

People tell me how important a topic is to them by how they speak to me. Rational, logical, focused—nope. Not those adjectives.

I am writing about important topics. When something is important, something burns inside. The heart quickens, the blood pressure rises, everything constricts, and usually nonsense comes from the mouth of the otherwise rational person.

Now it is time for me to pay close attention. The nonsense is a signal that this topic carries high importance for the other person. I must ignore the urge to chuckle and walk away. I must focus and find what it is that is burning inside the other person.

Oh, perhaps I should drop all the “must” language. After all, how important is the other person to me? Hmm, that’s a good question. How important is the other person to me?

All this noticing and filtering and focusing requires effort on my part. If I am managing endeavors and leading persons, that is my job.