--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ask yourself . . . What are my goals when…" description: "\"“Ask yourself . . . What are my goals when I converse with people? What kinds of things do I usually discuss? Are there other topics that would be more..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/susan-scott-15883_ask-yourself_ask-yourself-what-are-my-goals-when-i-co_241323.jpg" --- # Ask yourself . . . What are my goals when I converse with… ![“Ask yourself . . . What are my goals when I converse with people? What kinds of things do I usually discuss? Are there other topics that would be more important given what’s actually going on? How often do I find myself—just to be polite—saying things I don’t mean? How many meetings have I sat in…” quote by Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/susan-scott-15883_ask-yourself_ask-yourself-what-are-my-goals-when-i-co_241323.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/susan-scott-15883_ask-yourself_ask-yourself-what-are-my-goals-when-i-co_241323.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/susan-scott-15883_ask-yourself_ask-yourself-what-are-my-goals-when-i-co_241323.jpg) > ““Ask yourself . . . What are my goals when I converse with people? What kinds of things do I usually discuss? Are there other topics that would be more important given what’s actually going on? How often do I find myself—just to be polite—saying things I don’t mean? How many meetings have I sat in where I knew the real issues were not being discussed? And what about the conversations in my marriage? What issues are we avoiding? If I were guaranteed honest responses to any three questions, whom would I question and what would I ask? What has been the economical, emotional, and intellectual cost to the company of not identifying and tackling the real issues? What has been the cost to my marriage? What has been the cost to me? When was the last time I said what I really thought and felt? What are the leaders in my organization pretending not to know? What are members of my family pretending not to know? What am I pretending not to know? How certain am I that my team members are deeply committed to the same vision? How certain am I that my life partner is deeply committed to the vision I hold for our future? If nothing changes regarding the outcomes of the conversations within my organization, what are the implications for my own success and career? for my department? for key customers? for the organization’s future? What about my marriage? If nothing changes, what are the implications for us as a couple? for me? What is the conversation I’ve been unable to have with senior executives, with my colleagues, with my direct reports, with my customers, with my life partner, and most important, with myself, with my own aspirations, that, if I were able to have, might make the difference, might change everything? Are”” [Susan Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-scott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑questioning reveals hidden motives and costs in work and personal life, urging honest dialogue. **In simple terms:** Ask deep questions to uncover truth. Key Takeaway Practice regular, honest conversations. Themes communication self‑awareness leadership relationships growth Mood introspective challenging motivational Type reflective strategic inspirational When to use this quote - team meetings - marriage counseling - performance reviews - strategic retreats Key Concepts critical inquiry emotional intelligence organizational health Questions to Reflect On - What truth are you avoiding? - How can you create safe space for honesty? A Different Perspective Honest dialogue can be uncomfortable and risky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversations/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life partner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-partner/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Team Members](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team-members/) ## Related quotes > [“People often ask me: What are your goals and hopes and dreams for Benj? And the answer is so simple: That he be seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priscilla-gilman/people-often-ask-me-what-are-your-goals-and-hopes-and-dreams-for-benj/) [Priscilla Gilman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priscilla-gilman/) > [“The need for uniformity is a sign of insecurity on the part of management. 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How many meetings have I sat in where I knew the real issues were not being discussed? And what about the conversations in my marriage? What issues are we avoiding? If I were guaranteed honest responses to any three questions, whom would I question and what would I ask? What has been the economical, emotional, and intellectual cost to the company of not identifying and tackling the real issues? What has been the cost to my marriage? What has been the cost to me? When was the last time I said what I really thought and felt? What are the leaders in my organization pretending not to know? What are members of my family pretending not to know? What am I pretending not to know? How certain am I that my team members are deeply committed to the same vision? How certain am I that my life partner is deeply committed to the vision I hold for our future? If nothing changes regarding the outcomes of the conversations within my organization, what are the implications for my own success and career? for my department? for key customers? for the organization’s future? What about my marriage? If nothing changes, what are the implications for us as a couple? for me? What is the conversation I’ve been unable to have with senior executives, with my colleagues, with my direct reports, with my customers, with my life partner, and most important, with myself, with my own aspirations, that, if I were able to have, might make the difference, might change everything? 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