--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Be a communicator, not a self-righteous…" description: "\"Be a communicator, not a self-righteous proselytizer or preacher. Many people are only concerned with expressing themselves, which isn't necessarily co..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e79/sharon-gannon-2432_communication_be-a-communicator-not-a-self-righteous-p_2653047.png" --- # Be a communicator, not a self-righteous proselytizer or… ![“Be a communicator, not a self-righteous proselytizer or preacher. Many people are only concerned with expressing themselves, which isn't necessarily communication.” quote by Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e79/sharon-gannon-2432_communication_be-a-communicator-not-a-self-righteous-p_2653047.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e79/sharon-gannon-2432_communication_be-a-communicator-not-a-self-righteous-p_2653047.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e79/sharon-gannon-2432_communication_be-a-communicator-not-a-self-righteous-p_2653047.png) > “Be a communicator, not a self-righteous proselytizer or preacher. Many people are only concerned with expressing themselves, which isn't necessarily communication.” [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective communication requires listening, not just self‑expression; preaching alienates others. **In simple terms:** Listen to communicate, not just speak. Key Takeaway Practice active listening. Themes communication humility self‑awareness Mood calm thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - team meetings - teaching - relationships - public speaking Key Concepts dialogue empathetic listening Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance speaking and listening? - What habits improve empathy? A Different Perspective Over‑emphasis on self can hinder connection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Communicator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communicator/) [Communicator Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communicator-self-2366181/) [Communicators](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communicators/) [Concerned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concerned/) [Concerned Expressing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concerned-expressing-2366183/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Preacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preacher/) [Proselytizer Preacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proselytizer-preacher-2366182/) [Righteous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/righteous/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self righteous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-righteous/) ## Related quotes > [Certainly, you want to be liked, but as you gain confidence and experience you're more concerned with expressing yourself and what matters to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-alexandro/certainly-you-want-to-be-liked-but-as-you-gain-confidence-and/) [Ted Alexandro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-alexandro/) > [People aren't very good listeners, by nature. Part of being a good communicator is recognizing and understanding that and trying to make the complex…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tomlin/people-aren-t-very-good-listeners-by-nature-part-of-being-a-good/) [Mike Tomlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tomlin/) > [To become a master communicator: shut your mouth & listen first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/to-become-a-master-communicator-shut-your-mouth-listen-first/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Jesus is by nature a communicator. He wants to speak to you and wants you to talk to Him. People who spend time with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-sherman/jesus-is-by-nature-a-communicator-he-wants-to-speak-to-you-and-wants/) [Doug Sherman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-sherman/) > [I'm one helluva communicator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-cosell/i-m-one-helluva-communicator/) [Howard Cosell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-cosell/) > [I'm not the greatest communicator. I kind of internalize a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-maines/i-m-not-the-greatest-communicator-i-kind-of-internalize-a-lot/) [Natalie Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-maines/) > [Be who you are. But be the very best communicator you can possibly be. To do that you must be willing to sacrifice what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/be-who-you-are-but-be-the-very-best-communicator-you-can-possibly-be/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [If you are a good communicator, be unique: put yourself in your own commercials and do something a little different. To the extent you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ailes/if-you-are-a-good-communicator-be-unique-put-yourself-in-your-own/) [Roger Ailes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ailes/) > [However good a communicator a director is, unless they've been actors, it's just not the same as the shorthand you get with someone who's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-firth/however-good-a-communicator-a-director-is-unless-they-ve-been-actors/) [Colin Firth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-firth/) > [I had never really done voice-over. If you've ever seen me, I'm more the communicator through body language and movement... I'm a physical actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-logan/i-had-never-really-done-voice-over-if-you-ve-ever-seen-me-i-m-more/) [Daniel Logan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-logan/) > [I've always wanted to be a communicator of ideas through music. Today, I wanna be the most effective musical communicator of social change I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-franti/i-ve-always-wanted-to-be-a-communicator-of-ideas-through-music-today/) [Michael Franti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-franti/) > [I am a communicator; that seems to be my natural place. And I'll always be passionate about the world, because it's so bonkers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-lennox/i-am-a-communicator-that-seems-to-be-my-natural-place-and-i-ll-always/) [Annie Lennox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-lennox/) > [I'm a communicator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-judd/i-m-a-communicator/) [Naomi Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-judd/) > [The most important characteristic for a good communicator is the not the skill with which they communicate - it is having something to say!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-vader/the-most-important-characteristic-for-a-good-communicator-is-the-not/) [Randy Vader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-vader/) > [I'm a good communicator, and I'm a good translator. I can talk to engineers; I can talk to people for whom technology is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitchell-baker/i-m-a-good-communicator-and-i-m-a-good-translator-i-can-talk-to/) [Mitchell Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitchell-baker/) ## More by Sharon Gannon > [Communication implies communing, having a shared experience with another, not "talking at" or "talking down to" someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/communication-implies-communing-having-a-shared-experience-with/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [Human overconsumption is a greater problem than human population growth, and meat eating is a big part of that problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/human-overconsumption-is-a-greater-problem-than-human-population/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [Some well-to-do parents may say, "I have a right to have as many children as I want because I can take care of them."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/some-well-to-do-parents-may-say-i-have-a-right-to-have-as-many/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [In fact, studies show that vegans tend to get more iron than meat eaters. Vitamin C from fruits and vegetables increases iron absorption. Meanwhile,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/in-fact-studies-show-that-vegans-tend-to-get-more-iron-than-meat/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment or for any exploitative purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/animals-are-not-ours-to-eat-wear-experiment-on-use-for-entertainment/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [When we have a choice it is always best to choose kindness. Veganism is simply the kinder choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/when-we-have-a-choice-it-is-always-best-to-choose-kindness-veganism/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [Don't try to do this by yourself: to become a good yogi you need a teacher. Find a teacher you can bow to, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/don-t-try-to-do-this-by-yourself-to-become-a-good-yogi-you-need-a/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [It is true that every being is enjoying life or suffering as a direct result of his or her own past actions. The animals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/it-is-true-that-every-being-is-enjoying-life-or-suffering-as-a-direct/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [Lions and other carnivorous animals do a lot of things besides eat meat. They live outdoors, not in houses; they don't wear clothes or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/lions-and-other-carnivorous-animals-do-a-lot-of-things-besides-eat/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [Yoga may have originated in India, where the cow has been revered as sacred for thousands of years, but times have changed since Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/yoga-may-have-originated-in-india-where-the-cow-has-been-revered-as/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [It may take sixteen pounds of grain to make one pound of beef, but it also takes one hundred pounds of fish to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/it-may-take-sixteen-pounds-of-grain-to-make-one-pound-of-beef-but-it/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [Yes, all of life is sacred, including plants; and yes, there is research that demonstrates that plants have feelings - they feel it when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/yes-all-of-life-is-sacred-including-plants-and-yes-there-is-research/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [Live with the anticipation that something incredible might happen at any time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/live-with-the-anticipation-that-something-incredible-might-happen-at/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [Yoga teaches us that we can have whatever we may want in life if we are willing to provide it for others first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/yoga-teaches-us-that-we-can-have-whatever-we-may-want-in-life-if-we/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) > [Welfarists are concerned with the quality of the animals' lives before or even during their slaughter and want animals to be treated, and slaughtered,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/welfarists-are-concerned-with-the-quality-of-the-animals-lives-before/) [Sharon Gannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) [Explore all 166 Sharon Gannon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/) ## More Communication quotes > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The problem posed by indirect speech acts is the problem of how it is possible for the speaker to say one thing and mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-searle/the-problem-posed-by-indirect-speech-acts-is-the-problem-of-how-it-is/) [John Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-searle/) > [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [A poet is wounded into speech, and he examines these wounds, meticulously, to discover how to heal them. The bad poet harangues at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/a-poet-is-wounded-into-speech-and-he-examines-these-wounds/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [“To engage in dialogue is to serve others via whatever is real inside you; to engage in debate is to ultimately serve the illusions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oli-anderson/to-engage-in-dialogue-is-to-serve-others-via-whatever-is-real-inside/) [Oli Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oli-anderson/) > [What it comes down to for me is this: Will the technologies of communication in our culture, serve to enlighten us and help us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/what-it-comes-down-to-for-me-is-this-will-the-technologies-of/) [Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/) > [In dialogue, there is opposition, yes, but no head-on collision. Smashing heads does not open minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/in-dialogue-there-is-opposition-yes-but-no-head-on-collision-smashing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I've been in a serious conversation with one of my children, and a fan has come up. I've been in a public bathroom and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/i-ve-been-in-a-serious-conversation-with-one-of-my-children-and-a-fan/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [Life as we know it is fundamentally unsatisfying. I think most folks feel this to be true. They know that a life of aimless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-yates/life-as-we-know-it-is-fundamentally-unsatisfying-i-think-most-folks/) [Michael Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-yates/) > [Disability, in general, hasn't been included in the conversation about inclusivity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-winston-george/disability-in-general-hasn-t-been-included-in-the-conversation-about/) [Jason Winston George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-winston-george/) > [“Women will be at least 50 percent of the communications community workforce … from executive suite to interns. Why? The “integrated” agency will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoram-wind/women-will-be-at-least-50-percent-of-the-communications-community/) [Yoram Wind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoram-wind/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) [Browse all 21,506 Communication quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Be a communicator, not a self-righteous proselytizer or preacher. Many people are only concerned with expressing themselves, which isn't necessarily communication.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sharon Gannon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/be-a-communicator-not-a-self-righteous-proselytizer-or-preacher-many/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Communication" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/be-a-communicator-not-a-self-righteous-proselytizer-or-preacher-many/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e79/sharon-gannon-2432_communication_be-a-communicator-not-a-self-righteous-p_2653047.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e79/sharon-gannon-2432_communication_be-a-communicator-not-a-self-righteous-p_2653047.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e79/sharon-gannon-2432_communication_be-a-communicator-not-a-self-righteous-p_2653047.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Be a communicator, not a self-righteous proselytizer or preacher. Many people are only concerned with…” — Sharon Gannon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sharon Gannon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gannon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Be a communicator, not a self-righteous...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/be-a-communicator-not-a-self-righteous-proselytizer-or-preacher-many/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gannon/be-a-communicator-not-a-self-righteous-proselytizer-or-preacher-many/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```