Just Say It: How Speaking Up Can Transform Your Relationships

I’ve often been asked: How do you judge someone’s maturity? or How do you truly understand a person? One simple answer I’ve learned over time — and something reinforced by a set of books I’ve read — is this: just observe how considerate they are towards everything around them.

Not just towards people, but also towards situations, responsibilities, and even the little things in life. And one of the biggest markers of consideration? Communication.

Too often, people hold back — whether out of hesitation, fear of confrontation, or the assumption that “it’s not important enough to mention.” Some avoid difficult conversations, some leave things unsaid, and some choose silence over clarity, thinking it will prevent problems. But in reality, a lack of communication only makes things worse.

Let’s walk through a few scenarios to see this in action.

Scenario 1: The Job Search Ghosting

You’ve been looking for a job for months, sending out resumes left and right, and hearing nothing but crickets. Then finally, an HR rep reaches out! You go through multiple interview rounds, you ace them, and — boom! — you get the offer.

A week later, you need to discuss some formalities, so you call the HR person. No response. You think, maybe they’re busy. You call again — still nothing. You send an email. No reply. You try the next day. Silence.