Understanding Human Psychology

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to talk to someone who truly listens? It’s like looking into a mirror and seeing yourself clearly. I once had a friend who never opened up about his struggles, always brushing things off with a joke. One evening, instead of laughing along, I simply said, “I feel like you’re carrying something heavy. I’m here if you want to talk.” He paused, then finally shared what had been weighing on him for months. People open up when they feel reflected, not interrogated. When they sense that you’re not just hearing their words, but truly seeing them. Being a good listener isn’t just about silence—it’s about making the other person feel safe enough to speak.

  Imagine planting a seed and expecting a tree to grow overnight. Absurd, right? Yet, when we meet people, we sometimes expect them to trust us immediately. But trust, like a plant, needs time to take root. I once had a coaching client who barely spoke in the first few sessions. He answered in short phrases, careful not to reveal too much. I didn’t force him to talk. Instead, I nurtured the conversation, just like a gardener cares for a seed. I asked open-ended questions, gave him space, and reassured him that there was no rush. And one day, he started talking. He shared what was truly bothering him, and from that moment on, our conversations flourished. It reminded me that trust isn’t built overnight. It grows when given the right environment—patience, care, and understanding.

  A river doesn’t force its way through a mountain—it carves its path over time, with patience and persistence. That’s exactly how trust builds in coaching conversations. I remember a colleague at one of my previous workplaces who rarely spoke about personal matters. Every conversation was surface-level, guarded. I never pushed. Instead, I simply showed up—listening, sharing, and being present. One day, unexpectedly, he started opening up. What changed? She knew she wouldn’t be judged. People open up at their own pace. Just as a river flows steadily, trust grows when there’s space to be heard. You don’t need to force it. Just be there, and when they’re ready, they’ll flow into the conversation naturally. I usually tend to practice this by telling my coaching client to just let the conversation take shape on its own and allow the space.

  Have you ever stood in front of a locked door, unsure if you have the right key? That’s exactly how trust works in conversations, especially those of coaching. People don’t just open up because you ask them to. They need to feel safe, heard, and respected. In coaching, I’ve seen this play out many times. A client walks in, guarded and hesitant, unsure if they can truly share what’s on their mind. But the moment they realize I’m not here to judge—just to listen—something shifts. Like a door slightly ajar, they let me in, little by little. The key? Open-ended questions. Instead of asking, “Are you struggling at work?” I ask, “What’s been the biggest challenge for you lately?” It gives them the space to explore their own thoughts, rather than shutting the conversation down with a yes or no. Trust is not demanded; it’s earned. And the right words—like the right key—can make all the difference.

  As Women's Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on the profound stories of resilience and strength that shape our society. Recently, I was deeply moved by a speech from Mrs. Smriti Irani, Actress and Former Minister of Women and Child Development, Indian Government. In her address, she recounted the hardships faced by her mother, herself, and her two sisters. They were compelled to leave their home because her mother couldn't bear a male child—a stark reminder of the deep-seated gender biases that have plagued our culture. Mrs. Irani's narrative is not just a personal account but a reflection of the challenges many women have endured. It prompts me to question: Despite our celebrations of Women's Day, have we truly eradicated these biases from our hearts and society? While such incidents might seem like relics of the past, I wonder if, in certain corners of our world, girls are still made to feel inferior, their potential unfairly measured against that of boys. ...