How often has a coworker said hello and asked casually, “How are you today?” Did you give an honest answer? If I just say, “Fine,” I’m not really sharing any information. But if I say, “I’m 7.5 on a 10 scale, but after this cup of coffee, I should be a 9.5,” I am not only telling my coworker where I stand on a 10-point life-satisfaction scale, but I am inviting them to share their own perspective in response. As I write in this month’s cover article, asking good questions is important to me. Starting a real conversation is also about giving meaningful answers that frame a response. I practice these skills at home and at work. Both are building blocks of trusting relationships. When Marjorie and I went on an Alaskan cruise recently, she stepped away for a moment as we were waiting for our luggage. A young woman waiting nearby noticed my unusual shirt (one of my many Disney shirts) and approached me to ask about it. “It’s about a movie, right?” she asked, and figured out that the design portrayed scenes from “Ratatouille.” As Marjorie rejoined us, the young woman said, “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m not hitting on your husband!” THE POWER OF A RESPECTFUL Q&A Ask, Listen, and Build Trust
Apple-Cranberry Salad
INGREDIENTS • 6 slices of bacon • 1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries • 1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled and thinly sliced • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced • 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1/3 cup olive oil • 2 tbsp raw honey • 8 oz fresh baby spinach, rinsed and dried
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove it from the pan and set on a paper towel-lined plate to cool. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil, and honey. Set aside. 3. In a large bowl, add spinach, cranberries, apple slices, red onion, and feta. Crumble bacon pieces over the top. Use salad forks to toss ingredients thoroughly. 4. Add dressing to the salad and toss again until well-coated.
Inspired by WanderlustAndWellness.org
What’s the Good News? “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” LAMENTATIONS 3:22–23 A referral is the greatest gift we can receive from a client or fellow business! Last month we had ... • 33 referrals from friends, family, or previous clients • 6 returning clients for new matters • 10 referrals from other attorneys • 9 referrals from doctors and other professionals • We also send out referrals to our trusted referral partners! A Huge Thank-You to Our Referral Partners!
“It’s okay,” Marjorie replied. “I’m used to it. He talks to everybody!”
My wife (as usual) is right. If somebody engages with me, I’m going to have a conversation. Or I might pose a question to a stranger about something that piques my interest. A random compliment can be a good conversation starter. On the cruise, I noticed a woman pull out a cool-looking towel to dry off after the rain. I told her I liked it and asked where she got it, and we had a pleasant conversation. My philosophy is, why not take the opportunity to break the ice by saying something nice? During these conversations, people often learn that I am an attorney and have a family I care about deeply. As we talk, they may also share personal concerns about recovering from an accident or injury, or helping an aging loved one. Our casual conversations instill confidence that if they, a friend, or a family member ever need legal help, I will provide trustworthy assistance to protect their personal interests and their loved ones. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today or to refer a friend or loved one for trustworthy help with a personal injury, debt problems, consumer fraud, foreclosure, or estate planning. I promise you that starting the conversation will be easy and fun, and we will be glad to help!
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