This post is part of our Weekly Tips series.

​I​f you’ve been with us for a few weeks, you’ve probably noticed a theme: personal risk-taking. This week’s tip highlights a special kind of risk-taking.

The practice of “thinking out loud” was first introduced in Charlie Green’s book, Trust-Based Selling, although make no mistake—its benefits aren’t limited to sales situations.

Thinking out loud means sharing the very formation of your thoughts in a transparent way. As in, “So if the real issue is abc, well, hmmmm … there are a few different ways to approach it …” or “It sounds like you’re primary focus is xyz. Thinking out loud about that, seems like one important consideration would be …”

Thinking out loud builds trust because:

  1. It makes you human. You trade polished and articulate for unrefined and real.
  2. It shows your commitment to collaboration. You prove you’re more concerned about advancing the conversation and less concerned about how you look.
  3. It invites participation. Others have an opportunity to contribute to your partly-formed ideas.
  4. It frees you up to be a better listener. When you’re not so worried about having an answer that’s just right or perfectly expressed, you can really focus on listening to hear, rather than listening to respond.

Of course I’m not suggesting you unleash your uncensored self on your clients and colleagues. I’m saying allow yourself to speak in “rough draft.” Have the courage to bring a little more candor, vulnerability, and humility to your interactions.

Bonus: Making it Real

This week, make thinking out loud a regular practice. Find opportunities in conversations or meetings to do your thinking on the spot. Lead with phrases like, “Well, thinking out loud about this, I see a few possibilities …” or “Let’s think out loud about what might make sense here …”

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Andrea Howe

As the founder of The Get Real Project, I am the steward of our vision and our service offerings, as well as a workshop leader and keynote speaker. Above all else, I am an entrepreneur on a mission: to kick conventional business wisdom to the curb and transform how people work together as a result. I am also the co-author, with Charles H. Green, of The Trusted Advisor Fieldbook (Wiley, 2012).