We have discovered that listening is a critical attribute of successful leaders. The self control required is tremendous. We must truly believe that every individual we encounter contains a unique perspective. When we first make attempts to dig in and investigate our acquaintances we are likely to slip and fall a bit here and there. There is a fine balance resting between genuine interest and aggressive intrusion. We can easily misconstrue our intentions, especially if we have failed to challenge our line of reasoning.
On our leadership journey we find various motives. What are we in this to accomplish? What is the final goal? It is easy to find our self attempting to put checks in the boxes. We may think that we can become great leaders by adjusting to each scenario we encounter. For example, we may find our self thinking, "Ok, in this situation I am supposed to act this way. But if they respond like this, then I'm supposed to say that. What is it I am listening for in this situation? Should I smile now or wait until they have finished their thought." One thing that we must face right now is this; we absolutely cannot fake genuine.
An important lesson to consider is that there is no exact procedure we can follow to obtain respect. It is the case then that we must focus all of our efforts on self control. We can try to march this way or that, use this technique or that, but in the end we will simply revert to our old self if we have in fact not really changed. Our Creator has gifted us with the ability to sense certain things. Many might refer to this as a 6th sense. We know when someone is faking genuine. Some sniff it out faster than others. The slightest evidence of coercion is detected. A hint of manipulation glares out from our essence as if a floodlight has been energized. It is instructive to take a moment of thought now on a past interaction in our life. Imagine how we sensed something was out of sorts during the discussion.
We are not so easily fooled. If we are in our right mind, if we have complete control over our emotions, if we celebrate God's gift of a conscious, then we see through the veil of those disguising bad with good. In this same manner we can rest assured that others will pick up on our inexperienced listening. To suppress the instincts to offer advice and to show condemnation is most difficult. Perhaps we may find it helpful to consider this thought. How can we lead others when we do not really know who they are or what life has brought their way? It may also be true that what motivates one person will upset the next. Aware of this we should find a keen interest in the discovery process. If we simply take the time to get to know someone, listen to their story, without offering advice or opinion, then we will find others really opening up to share life with us. In this we find our soul. We begin to think with our heart instead of our brain.
Copyright © Robert Clinton Chedester 2013
On our leadership journey we find various motives. What are we in this to accomplish? What is the final goal? It is easy to find our self attempting to put checks in the boxes. We may think that we can become great leaders by adjusting to each scenario we encounter. For example, we may find our self thinking, "Ok, in this situation I am supposed to act this way. But if they respond like this, then I'm supposed to say that. What is it I am listening for in this situation? Should I smile now or wait until they have finished their thought." One thing that we must face right now is this; we absolutely cannot fake genuine.
An important lesson to consider is that there is no exact procedure we can follow to obtain respect. It is the case then that we must focus all of our efforts on self control. We can try to march this way or that, use this technique or that, but in the end we will simply revert to our old self if we have in fact not really changed. Our Creator has gifted us with the ability to sense certain things. Many might refer to this as a 6th sense. We know when someone is faking genuine. Some sniff it out faster than others. The slightest evidence of coercion is detected. A hint of manipulation glares out from our essence as if a floodlight has been energized. It is instructive to take a moment of thought now on a past interaction in our life. Imagine how we sensed something was out of sorts during the discussion.
We are not so easily fooled. If we are in our right mind, if we have complete control over our emotions, if we celebrate God's gift of a conscious, then we see through the veil of those disguising bad with good. In this same manner we can rest assured that others will pick up on our inexperienced listening. To suppress the instincts to offer advice and to show condemnation is most difficult. Perhaps we may find it helpful to consider this thought. How can we lead others when we do not really know who they are or what life has brought their way? It may also be true that what motivates one person will upset the next. Aware of this we should find a keen interest in the discovery process. If we simply take the time to get to know someone, listen to their story, without offering advice or opinion, then we will find others really opening up to share life with us. In this we find our soul. We begin to think with our heart instead of our brain.
Copyright © Robert Clinton Chedester 2013