Ryan Leak

I came across this word, sonder.

S-O-N-D-E-R.

Sonder.

It's interesting.

It's a very, very interesting word.

Sonder is the realization that every person you pass is living a life as complex as your own.

Yeah.

The sobering realization.

That every person you interact with online and offline, in your office and in your home, is living a life as complex as your own.

And if you believe that, it'll change how you go to work.

It'll change how you lead.

It'll change how you parent.

It'll change how you respond.

Because now, you're not reacting to behavior.

You're not reacting to behavior.

In fact, most of us are not at our best when we are reacting.

But if you and I can learn the art of getting curious about somebody else's story, I think we give ourselves a chance to understand how a difficult person

is actually showing up in our life.

And I believe when we get more curious about their story, I actually believe that difficult people just get a little less difficult because we took a moment to actually understand them.

So my friend, the next time someone frustrates you in any way, shape or form, instead of asking, what's wrong with them