Most people do not listen with the intent to understand. They listen with the intent to respond. They’re either speaking or preparing to speak. They’re filtering everything through their own paradigms, reading their autobiography into other people’s lives." (Stephen Covey)
Although some may think this is "splitting hairs", it truly is two different things. People who listen and want to understand are making an effort to know one another. To share the gift of intimacy. To connect.
If you listen only as a means to respond, you are telling others that your life is more important than theirs. You are not interested in knowing more about your fellow man but in building your own reputation. Your need to be clever and be heard threatens the real goal of understanding each other better.
No comments:
Post a Comment