Always Be Listening

I never stop listening. Now, before you judge me, I am not an eavesdropper nor am I advocating for it. What I will say is that there is so much to listen to in your world.

When I was a young kid, I would often hang around at the dinner table to hear what the adults would say. I learned so much about business, politics, sports, how to act, and how not to act. 

I guarantee you that you can learn a lot from the people around you just by listening to them. Sometimes you will pick up on knowledge they are sharing, and other times you will be able to learn lessons from the stories they tell. 

Many people listen only because they have to before they are allowed to speak again. Too often I fall into this trap. It is a stupid way to act. Even if you are courteous, you are short-changing yourself by not learning something new. 

Be attentive to the conversations that surround you. There is so much to learn. Study the way people talk to each other and its effects. By paying attention to a variety of conversations, you will have so much more experience in interpersonal communication. Nothing makes hard conversations easy, but this experience should help you avoid pitfalls.

To take it one step further, if someone you know says something interesting, don't be afraid to ask a question. I am confident that the people in your life will appreciate any interest you take in their work, passion, or interests. 

Being a good listener can get you a seat at the table. Once you are around long enough and ask a few good questions, people will begin to ask for your opinions. Apply what you have learned as an active listener and make a confident, thoughtful contribution.

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