Pay attention Quote by Jo Walton
““There's a thing - I've noticed it often. When I first say something, it's as if people don't hear me, they can't believe I'm saying it. Then they start to actually pay attention, they stop noticing that a teenage girl is talking and start to believe that it's worth listening to what I'm saying.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Book Talk, 2018, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
The speaker observes that initial statements often go unheard until the speaker gains credibility, after which listeners focus on the message rather than the messenger.
In simple terms: People ignore new ideas until the speaker earns trust.
Key Takeaway
Build credibility to have your voice heard.
Themes
communication
credibility
perception
Mood
inspirational
reflective
Type
advice
motivational
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- classroom discussions
- public speaking
- online forums
Key Concepts
social dynamics
authority
listening
Questions to Reflect On
- What steps can you take to earn trust quickly?
- How do you ensure you listen to ideas, not just speakers?
A Different Perspective
Credibility can be hard to establish and may be biased toward familiar voices.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
