Posted inPersonal Development

Wise advice on calmness

Speak when you’re calm, not when you’re certain you’re right - Kerry Patterson
At its heart, this quote is a warning against letting your conviction bulldoze the conversation. It's a reminder that your emotional state is your most powerful tool, or your biggest liability.
Posted inPersonal Development

Quotes about behavior

Our stories don’t just explain our behavior—they drive it - Kerry Patterson
The stories we tell ourselves, the internal narratives about why things are happening, aren't just passive reflections. They are active scripts that dictate our actions, emotions, and ultimately, our outcomes.
Posted inPersonal Development

Courage Quote

When we choose silence over truth, we choose comfort over courage - Kerry Patterson
At its heart, this quote is about the hidden cost of staying quiet. It frames silence not as neutrality, but as an active choice that prioritizes personal comfort and the avoidance of conflict over the more difficult, but necessary, act of speaking a difficult truth.
Posted inPersonal Development

Growth Quote

When we fail to speak honestly, we rob others of the truth they need to grow - Kerry Patterson
At its core, this quote means that silence isn't neutral. It's an active choice that withholds the very feedback or reality that someone else needs for their personal or professional development.
Posted inPersonal Development

Wise advice on clarity

Every time you find yourself arguing, stop and ask: What do I really want here—for me, for others, for the relationship? - Kerry Patterson
ful outcome. I've used it to de-escalate everything from boardroom standoffs to silly spats with my partner. [referquotes_shortcode placement="below-overview"] Table of Contents Meaning
Posted inPersonal Development

Wise advice on mindset

To succeed in crucial conversations, replace your stories of victim, villain, and helplessness with stories of responsibility - Kerry Patterson
At its core, this is about taking back your power. It means ditching the mental narratives where you're the victim, the other person is the villain, and you're helpless to change anything.
Posted inPersonal Development

Control Quote

Holding to your purpose when emotions flare is the hallmark of maturity in dialogue - Kerry Patterson
The core message is simple: true maturity in conversation is demonstrated by your ability to stay focused on your goal, even when things get heated.
Posted inPersonal Development

Wise advice on emotion general

The best at dialogue stay focused on what they really want, even when emotions run strong - Kerry Patterson
At its heart, this quote is about not letting a surge of emotion hijack a conversation that matters. It's about keeping your true north, your ultimate goal, in sight, even when you're feeling attacked, angry, or afraid.