April 24, 2023

“There is only one rule for being a good talker – learn to listen.” - Christopher Morley

We need to listen in order to be an effective communicator. Many of us may think that the key to being a good talker is to have a strong voice, to be confident, and to have something interesting to say. But these are all secondary to the ability to listen. Listening is the foundation of effective communication. It allows us to understand the needs and perspectives of others, to build trust, and to connect with others on a deeper level. We cannot truly communicate and connect with others without the ability to listen. A farmer once had a field that produced a bountiful crop every year. His neighbors would often come to him for advice on improving their fields. The farmer would always tell them the same thing: "Pay attention to what your land is telling you." The farmer's neighbors would often scoff at this advice, thinking it was too simple. They would try all sorts of different methods and techniques, but they never seemed to get the same results as the farmer. One day, one of the neighbors decided to take the farmer's advice and truly listen to his land. He noticed that the soil was dry in certain areas and realized that he needed to water those areas more. He also noticed that the soil was compacted in other areas and realized that he needed to aerate it. By listening to his land, he improved his crop and eventually produced a bountiful harvest like the wise farmer. In the same way, if we want to be a good speaker, we need to first learn to listen. We need to listen to the needs and perspectives of others, to truly understand them and to build trust and connection. Only then can we truly communicate and connect with others.