Seek First to Understand

Sitting in my chair in the den, relaxed and watching Monday night football, CeCe is in and out, finding a few things to organize or clean. This is my downtime, my dumb box, where I just want to relax, recharge and not think.?Each of us needs these times to help recharge our batteries to be our best, and there are many ways to enjoy that time.?

As she is passing through…

CeCe:? Do you have the internet?

I pick up my phone and say yes, I do. Are you having a problem?

CeCe:? No, I said do you have a crick in your neck?

LOL, no I don’t, I thought you said do you have the internet.?

My hearing is bad and when I am distracted — it’s worse.? I believe this happens to a lot of us, whether we have good hearing or not. We are so distracted we do not really hear what someone might be asking us or seek to understand why they are asking.?

I found this to be one of my weaknesses as a leader. When I would get too busy or move too fast, I would not understand what people were really asking me.? As I stumped my toe more times than I care to recall, I learned it is so important for us to seek to understand the other person?and?the “why” behind the question before we respond.? Seek to understand first rather than seeking to be understood.?

Do you find yourself misunderstanding the question??I’m learning, even at home, to be a better listener.?

The Rest of the Story

CeCe:? You never listen to me!

Me: I was listening, I simply misunderstood.

CeCe:? No, you get in your dumb box and don’t listen.

“If you were to anticipate how strong a company’s culture needs to be to transform and thrive in the future, Joey Havens paints a beautiful horizon in his book Leading with Significance.”?? ? Daniel Burrus

Grab your copy of?Leading with Significance?to find more magnetic insights to help you on your unique journey.?

For more information on my presentations or to access my beBetter blog library go to?joeyhavens.com.