Conor Neill: "18 years of school trained you to ruin conversations"
"You finish your pitch and the customer says, 'Your product is too expensive!' You arrive home, you're a few minutes late, your partner says, 'You are always late.' A dirty plate is left on the table... 'You never wash the dishes.' What do you say in this moment?"
The problem:
"Most of you... went through 14 years of school where you were taught one way to respond to questions. Teacher asks a question: 'How do you spell cats?' Student: 'C-A-T.' Teacher: 'What is the biological process called osmosis?' Student puts hand up, explains in detail the process through which cell membranes allow water to go from one side to the other."
He continues:
"For 14 years you've been taught that you receive and answer a question. If you went to university, you probably had another 3, 4 years where you gave answers to questions."
On why answering is the worst response:
"In real life, in persuasion, in getting to what the other person is really about, what their needs really are... the worst thing you can do is give an answer to a question."
He explains:
"If someone says 'your product is too expensive' and you say 'No it's not! It's only €1,000'... you've lost every chance to understand what else is behind their reasoning. If you get home and your partner says 'you're always late!' and you say 'No no no! Tuesday I definitely was here on time'... you're gonna have a crap weekend."
The insight:
"You've had 14... if not 18 years of training that you answer questions. And it's going to cause fights in your home life. It's going to cause problems at work. It means you're not selling anything. Because when someone says 'your product is too expensive'... that's not what their real issue is. When someone says 'I will have to speak to my boss'... that's not what their real issue is."
On emotion and thinking:
"When your partner says 'you're always late'... emotion goes up. And what happens? This part disconnects. The higher emotion goes... the lower thinking goes."
The implication:
"The way to make someone stupider is insult them, object to them, tell them they are wrong. When asked a question, there's an emotional reaction."
On why you must practice:
"If you don't practice this response, you're not going to be able to do it in the moment."
He lists the objections:
"'You're always late!'... 'You never wash the dishes!'... 'You never do your part of the share!'... 'Your product is too expensive!'... 'Your competitor is better!'... 'You failed us 3 years ago!'... 'I don't trust your company!' If you don't practice this habit of not giving an answer... you're not going to be able to do it in the heat of the moment."
Neill calls this "Conversation Aikido":
"Martial arts are about using the energy, the force of the opponent against them. In judo, if someone punches you, you pull their arm and allow the energy to keep flowing. In Aikido, the concept is you go towards the punch. Go towards the energy."
He explains:
"If someone punches you... if someone asks you a question... if someone objects, says you're wrong... the Aikido method is go towards and see the world from their view. In Aikido, you learn to go towards the punch, dodge it, and look... and you are seeing the world in the same direction as the person who's attacking you."
The technique:
"When you are asked a question or given an objection... say 'I understand' and repeat in your words what they're saying. Then give an open question back."
Example:
"'Your product is too expensive!' → 'I understand that money is an important factor for you. What other criteria will be used in taking this decision?'"
He adds:
"It takes some habit to start to be able to give 'I understand' and fill in good words. You will have to work on this quite a few times over the next 10 years to find the set of words that captures what the other person feels... what's behind it."
He explains with an example:
"'You're always late!' → 'I understand you feel frustrated.' 'I understand you feel let down.' Then: 'What can we do now?' 'What happened during the day?' 'What would you like to talk about?'"
On unlearning:
"This takes 14 years of it being drummed into you... 4 more, 18 if you went to university. It's gonna take you at least 18 years to get out of the habit of responding to questions with answers."
The lesson:
"We live in an uncertain world and we don't have the answers. But by giving the answer, we shut down the possibility of hearing what's really going on in the other person's mind... in the other person's business... what other things are going on."
On the 4th question:
"I guarantee that if you do it 4 times... the answer to your 4th open question begins to be the real underlying need, issue, interest of the person you're listening to."
DEFYING THE BULLETS AND THE BARRIERS: HOMABAY HAS SPOKEN!
Despite a well choreographed campaign of terror and violence, my tour of Homabay County was a resounding and historic success. The forces of darkness tried to stop us, but the power of the people triumphed, proving that our journey of liberation cannot and will not be halted by hired goons or state complicity.
The trouble began the moment our ferry docked at Mbita, where an organized group of goons targeted my motorcade, smashing my vehicle's windscreen and damaging several other fleet cars. They severely underestimated the people, however, as the public swiftly repulsed them, allowing us to hold two massive, electric rallies in Mbita Town and Rusinga Island. As we proceeded to Sindo in Suba South, the desperation of our detractors intensified. Roadblocks of burning tyres were erected, stones were pelted at us, and a dedicated member of our team, Cvilizer Aran, was brutally attacked. Once again, ordinary citizens stood firm and overpowered the goons, paving the way for a highly successful and peaceful rally in Sindo. After four more triumphant stops on our way back to Kisumu, we met the ultimate act of cowardice at Kodoyo Junction. The road was deliberately barricaded with a concrete electric pole and massive boulders. Hired militia rained stones on our convoy and hacked two of our team members, who are currently nursing severe injuries at Tranquil Hospital in Homabay. We pray for their quick recovery and demand justice for this heinous act.
It is deeply shameful and hypocritical for Gladys Wanga to masquerade as a leader and a mother while orchestrating the cold blooded slaughter of other mothers' children for political mileage. What is even more telling is that all these violent incidents occurred in the full glare of the police, who stood by as mere bystanders. Now it makes perfect sense why the state withdrew my official security detail just before this trip; they wanted to leave us exposed to harm. But let me be absolutely clear: I will never be cowed into submission. My ultimate security is the millions of Kenyans fighting for their rights.
To William Ruto, I say this clearly: Do not attempt to take my life. Too many Luos have already lost their lives under your watch in unclear, bloody circumstances. I have spent my entire life in the trenches fighting for the democracy and constitutionalism that this nation enjoys today, and Kenya does not deserve this regression into a police state. To the brave people of Homabay, thank you for standing with the truth and for shielding us against oppression. This is just the beginning of our march to freedom.
Homabay, I will be back!
... very informative content here....
Financial literacy....
See how the workers are content and very progress while there is that ONE WHO IS ALWAYS UNGRATEFUL
SEVEN IMPORTANT PIG FARMING TIPS! 🐷
1. HOUSING : Provide pigs with a clean and dry shelter that protects them from extreme weather conditions. Make sure the housing is well-ventilated and has enough space for the pigs to move around comfortably.
2. FEEDING : Pigs are omnivores and require a balanced diet that includes grains, vegetables, fruits, and protein sources such as soybean meal or fish meal. Make sure they have access to clean and fresh water at all times.
3. HEALTH CARE : Regularly monitor the health of your pigs and provide them with necessary vaccinations and medications to prevent diseases. Consult with a veterinarian for advice on proper health care practices.
4. EXERCISE : Pigs need space to roam and exercise to stay healthy and prevent obesity. Provide them with a designated area for rooting and exploring.
5. BREEDING : If you plan to breed pigs for farming, make sure to select healthy and genetically superior breeding stock. Consult with a veterinarian or experienced breeder for advice on breeding practices.
6. WASTE MANAGEMENT : Properly manage pig waste to prevent environmental pollution and maintain a clean and hygienic living environment for the pigs. Consider composting or recycling pig waste for use as fertilizer.
7. RECORD KEEPING : Keep detailed records of your pig farming operations, including feeding schedules, health care treatments, breeding records, and financial transactions. This will help you track the progress of your farm and make informed decisions for future planning