Technology allows us to communicate faster, more frequently, and to a wider audience. But who’s listening? The more we communicate, the harder it is to listen well—to focus on one person and their words. This is where self-control comes in. Being able to pause yourself and focus on the speaker and improves your understanding but more important, increases their sense of being heard.
The Gift of Feeling Listened To
Being well-listened to is better than a massage or vacation. Ok, those are better, but you get my point. Feeling listened to is the reason people pay big bucks for therapy, and why we seek friendships.
Do You Listen Well?
- Do you listen without interrupting or checking your messages?
- Do you listen for what the speaker wants, and/or what they want from you? (They may be asking for feedback, support, direction, honesty, reassurance or information.)
- Do you listen to what’s not being said?
- Do you try to understand the speaker’s feelings (without taking them on yourself)?
Do You Speak Well?
Self-control means asking these questions before you speak:
- Why am I speaking; what purpose does this support?
- Is this important—worth someone’s life moments?
- Am I treating my listener with respect, and speaking with integrity?
Self-control is a vital life skill, one of the greatest gifts parents can teach their kids. When we add self-control to our listening and speaking, we model respect and teach it to others.