Listening is a Gift

Prov 18:13 - To answer before listening - that is folly and shame.

I have been in some sort of management most of my life.  From captain on sports teams, to leader in youth groups, management in work, leader in community groups….  All leadership positions are based on your ability to plan and deliver. But those two actions are then based on your ability to discover the needs, discern the path, and involve the team. All three of those components rely on your ability to listen.  I watch the downfall of leaders, programs and relationships based on one person’s inability to listen.  They react too fast, not hearing the complete thought of another contributor.  They misinterpret due to their established bias on the subject and fail to hear the constructive argument or plan. They filter the input based on a developed bias of the presenter. And by “they” I sometimes mean “me”.  I’m sure you heard the saying “you have two ears and one mouth”.  Put twice the effort into listening and your success rate should increase proportionately.