I love quotes about listening.

In The Effective Executive, Peter Drucker—one of the foremost experts on leadership—said, “Listen first, speak last.”  

The legendary UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden, said, “Listen if you want to be heard.”

Dr. Adam Grant, in his book Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know, said: “Listening is a way of offering others our scarcest, most precious gift: our attention.”

Just because I love quotes about listening doesn’t exactly mean I have been a great listener.

For much of my life, instead of truly listening, I have primarily waited for the perfect opportunity to share a relevant story, make someone laugh, give advice, or ask “a great question.”

During most of my experiences as a leader, I would say I have primarily waited on my turn to talk.

While those actions may have appeared to be listening, I know I was restless on the inside, just waiting for my voice to be heard.

As I continue to practice listening and reflect back on conversations, I’m getting better at recognizing there is very little need, if any, for my voice in another person’s story.

I have learned that my questions may direct the flow of someone’s story, but my silence allows them to lead me down the path they want me to travel.