Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson
We often get frustrated when people don't behave the way we expect them to. Some are painfully slow, some never seem to take initiative, some are so self-obsessed that their immodesty is hard to tolerate, while others come across as pompous, use crude language, or passionately support a political leader you strongly dislike. Our instinct is to conclude that something is wrong with them. But before getting irritated by this mismatch, remember that every person runs on a different operating system. Their system has certain inbuilt features that yours doesn't, just as yours has strengths they may lack. The qualities you find annoying today may be the very qualities that help them succeed in situations where you would struggle. Understanding this doesn't mean you must agree with everyone. It simply means recognizing that different doesn't automatically mean inferior. Communication Happens on the Listener's Terms: Misunderstandings occur because people are different, not...