" Frequently we invest a great deal of energy in hiding weaknesses even when they’re clear to anyone who meets us. The result: We make people uncomfortable, because they’re forced to actively ignore the problem and focus a great deal of attention on avoiding talking about it. When we make them uncomfortable, their mirror neurons can’t create an emotional connection, because they’re actively avoiding that connection. Their own minds aren’t saying, “Reach out to this person.” They’re saying: “Be careful. Don’t trust this guy. If he’s hiding this, he’s probably hiding something else.” The solution? If there’s a big, glaring problem standing between you and reaching another person, stipulate to it. "

― Mark Goulston , Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone