I’ve blogged before about how the key to effective communication is listening, understanding, and expressing yourself in a way that is best for your counterpart.

However, communicating effectively with people in the manner that works best for them isn’t always easy.

It becomes challenging when your counterpart has their own issues inhibiting their ability to communicate.

The most common seem to be the waiters.

I don’t mean that they’ll take your drink order, but rather than they’re not listening to what you’re trying to say.

The expression goes that the opposite of talking is not listening, it’s waiting for your turn, and thinking about what you’re going to say next.”

Then there are the people who have a story for every occasion.

You know the type, no matter what the subject at hand; they can tell you a long-winded story about it.

I’m especially sensitive to that because, I must confess, I am one of those people who has a story for every occasion.

The difference is I’m in recovery. I’m aware that I have a tendency to do have a story for every occasion, and I’ve developed the self-awareness and maturity to realize that it’s not always the best use of everyone’s time for me to ramble on.

The solution to both of those, the waiters and the story tellers is patience.

Take your time, listen to what they’re saying, and do your best to gently steer the discussion along into more productive directions.