I used to think that I was great. I would be the star of every meeting and every conversation. At one point I started getting feedback that I’m aggressive, dominant, and unwilling to accept other opinions. I was truly surprised and not a bit offended. I didn’t perceive myself as such and that was not a persona I was proud of. I had no idea that this was what people thought of me. That’s when a friend shared a piece of advice from Dale Carnegie’s Wisdom Vault. He said, “You have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Use them in that proportion.”
I thought I had pretty good listening skills. You know, nodding at the right moments, throwing in an occasional “uh-huh.” Little did I know that true listening is a skill that requires more than just a pair of ears — it demands attention, empathy, and a sprinkle of curiosity.
The Art of Truly Listening
It hit me like a thunderbolt. How often had I been so eager to share my own thoughts that I forgot to truly listen to others? I decided to put this advice into action, especially in the workplace.