In the Age of Noise, Are We Listening Enough?

The most basic and powerful way to connect with another person is to listen.

It’s an overt demonstration of respect and the best way to convey that we truly recognize that other person’s voice. It’s how we empathize.

Some people don't have the disposition to be good listeners. Their thoughts and feelings are so scattered that they can't hear anything other than the voice inside their head. And there is a danger in actively listening. It means you might end up seeing life differently — which can actually be an unsettling experience for some.

But listening is both a commitment and a compliment. It's a commitment to understanding how to see the world. It is a compliment because it says to the other person we care about what is happening in your life, and your experience is important to me.

Individuals who have excelled in their craft typically do very little talking. They instead ask profound questions so they can gather enough information, then make informed decisions and resolve problems. They know it is impossible to acquire the knowledge they need if they are continually talking.

We must always strive to look beyond what is into what can be, then further into what should be. Engage people who challenge you, not just the ones who affirm you. We will not truly progress as our best selves until we make an honest effort to understand those who are different than us.

Real listening gets inside the other person's mind. It’s a human connection that touches and changes us. Perhaps it's when we get far enough inside someone else's thoughts, deepest fears, and aspirations that we begin to see our innermost vulnerable and authentic selves.

Realize, many times, what people need most is not a brilliant mind that speaks but a special heart that listens!

P.S. If you are in search of a book recommendation, our team at The Daily Coach highly recommends Attitude: Develop a Winning Mindset on and Off the Court by Jay Wright with Michael Sheridan and Mark Dagostino. In Attitude, Coach Wright shares some of the leadership secrets that have enabled Villanova, to thrive in the hypercompetitive world of college athletics. Coach Wright offers anecdotes from his own journey up the ladder of success, with lessons learned on the Little League playing fields of his youth and wisdom passed down from his coaches and mentors.