"Communication is the most important skill in life" (Covey 237). This chapter emphasized empathy, which we have learned a lot about in MS classes. Soldiers that we lead will need an effective listener. It's a true challenge to try to understand someone--I mean you haven't grown up in his or her neighborhood, gotten yelled at by his or her parents, gone to his or her school, etc. It's probably not possible to completely understand someone, because you are not that person. But, just like a compromise is a lower form of the ideal "Win/Win," there is also a lower form of complete understanding. Use Covey's methods, and try.
Inserting your own autobiography is super-interesting to me. Just listen to people's conversations. Sometimes the person talking is barely done speaking, and the other person immediately relates it to his or her own life. That's fine for some conversations, but constantly thinking about something relates to you isn't even healthy. It's something a lot of people (including me) can improve.
Good post this week.I agree with you about the fact that most people, me included, are fast to give their own story instead of listening to what the person is trying to say. I also like that you emphasized that communication is the most important skill in life.
ReplyDeleteSpreading the cynicism one comment at a time...
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of MSG(ret) Wood's story on the soldier he was reprimanding and getting angry for the said soldier not looking at him to his face. We often don't know where people are coming from so we should just shut-up sometimes and listen to what they have to say and how they say it.
Also, this makes me think of that statement "I know how you feel". What a load. I don't care if you think you've had an experience that is somehow tangentally related to mine, but that's not what I came to you for.
I wasn't as cynical of Covey in this comment this time (dang it), but he did bring up a point that many of us have been taught by our mother's practically since conception. - Listen to others, not yourself.