This is such a great article!

I would change this sentence by adding one word.

People BELIEVE they are buying us by saying what they think we want to hear.

I get this constantly in my work, which is something similar to yours, per your profile.

I started playing a game with myself, to avoid the monotony of allowing people to continue to lie to themselves by misrepresenting to me. (just the truth, no judgement implied)

I listen, psychically because I can, to what the person is really thinking behind what they are saying. Anyone can develop this skill. It takes practice like anything else.

The result is a treasure trove of laughter dosed with a great deal of compassion. What helps people is when they realize the motivations behind the stuff they are telling people that is what they think people want to hear or what will get them approval… as if that mattered. It doesn’t.

You wrote it much more articulately. I am agreeing and smiling alongside you.