Listening Well

Listening Well

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Philippians 4:5

It was the second day of a professional conference, and as I sat in the session after lunch, I noticed that many of my fellow attendees looked as ready for a nap as I felt. As I approached the speaker at the end of the session, his words surprised me. “Are you always such a good listener?” he asked. I paused, reflecting on my behavior during his session, wondering what I had done that drew his attention in a large room filled with other listeners.

While I’m not perfect, I strive to be an active listener. This means that I intentionally use nonverbal behavior (leaning in, head nodding in agreement, facial expressions) to reveal that I am not only hearing what is being said but also actively processing and reacting to the information. It was my nonverbal communication during the session that this particular speaker picked up on—and he appreciated what I was communicating in a room filled with tired, sleepy, distracted people.

As an attorney, mom, wife, and friend, I’ve learned that listening well is sometimes the best gift we can give to another. When the person talking feels heard and understood—even when we can’t solve the problem—it releases anxiety, allows the speaker to think out loud, and often reveals a way forward that hasn’t been previously considered.

While my daily goal is always to reveal the love of Christ in my actions as I go about my tasks, I sometimes forget that simply being considerate, especially when others are not, quietly reveals Christ in me—and that can be a powerful message, even in the midst of a crowd. As we await Christ’s return we are his messengers both in word and in deed.

After wrapping up my conversation with the session speaker with an exchange of business cards, I said a silent prayer of thanks for the reminder of the importance of listening well in every situation—even when we are tempted to think that it doesn’t really matter, especially when we are just one face in a crowded room.

—Julie

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Be an active listener in everything you do and everywhere you go—whether you’re in a meeting, with your kids, or among friends.