Human beings reveal themselves in all sorts of unforeseen ways.
We each have a dominant sensory modality—the sense we rely on most heavily to give context to our world. Some people look. Some people listen. Others rely on touch. By examining the words people unconsciously choose—their sensory predicates—we’re able to identify their dominant modalities. When we then match our predicates, our language, to theirs, we create an instant but often unrecognized connection.
Can I show you how it works?
Someone whose sensory predicates are visual may ask, “Does that look right to you?” or “Let me show you what I mean.” An auditory person may say, “That doesn’t sound right to me” and “Just hear me out.” A kinesthetic—someone who relies on touch—uses expressions like, “I can’t seem to get my arms around that” or “It feels like it’s the right thing to do.”
In a world where relationships seem to develop and end in an instant, any communication tool that helps us establish quick rapport is an advantage. Sometimes it’s a simple as speaking the same language, but it always starts with listening.
See what I mean?
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It’s a good tip and a nice headline!
Thanks, Lori. You should give it a try. I find it much easier to describe than it is to practice. I generally get consumed in the content of what’s being said rather than the predicates…and forget I’m trying to identify a dominant modality!