Why Valuable Information Gets Ignored and How to Make It Meaningful

Let’s talk about the difference between value and meaning. I share how many times we give someone valuable information and they do nothing with it. The reason is because value alone does not lead to action. People only act when something is meaningful to them.

I explain that valuable information stands on its own, but without relevance it falls flat. Telling someone how to lose weight or how to sell better may be true but it is ignored if it is not meaningful. Meaning comes when the information is personal, connected to their situation, and something they feel they discovered themselves.

I give the example of a teacher explaining an experiment. Hearing the instructions may be valuable but actually doing the lab and seeing the result is meaningful. That experience creates ownership and drives action. The same thing happens in sales, business, or family conversations.

One way to create meaning is to ask questions that guide the other person to find the answer. When they believe they reached the conclusion, they are more likely to act. Another way is to show instead of tell. Role play, demonstrate, or model the behavior so they can see it. Stories, analogies, and connections to their own past experiences also add meaning.

I end by reminding listeners that when words fall on deaf ears it is usually because they have value without meaning. The challenge is to frame information in a way that connects with the person so it becomes both valuable and meaningful. If you found this useful, share it with someone who might need to hear it.