I dedicate this article to my unparalleled mother, Toby Litt. Her work as a communication specialist and spiritual guide continues to power and inspire me everyday. The name of her company was Listening Works.

Few of us have been taught to listen because so few of us have been listened to. 

First as children, then as adults… we live in a society of impatience, distraction, of multi-tasking and self-serving agendas. We are in such need to be heard, to share what we have to say, to explain our side of the argument-- to show what we know.  

We enter conversations with our point or angle in mind. Sometimes it’s as if you let the other person speak just so you can get your turn to say what you need to say. To be right or to win. 

When we don’t listen, we all lose. 

Did you know that most conflicts and challenges we experience are caused by ineffective listening which translates into miscommunication?

Yup, it’s true! 

So how do you...

Well wow. All I can say is that I am actually happy I watched last night’s presidential debate until the very end. The last two minutes were, without question, the highlight.  Did you feel the energy shift? I sure as hell did. Positivity works.  Leading with respect and kindness works.  As soon as each candidate had to focus on the good, they calmed, they seemed a bit humbled and were able to see the other as a human being.  Could you imagine what the debate would be like if they started that way? Or even better, if we didn’t allow this disgusting, disrespectful behavior at all?  Requiring that each candidate answer questions directly and without turning it around to discuss something negative about their opponent?  The truth is, neither is better than the other in this category.  You can talk all you want about the high road, but talk is cheap and action is everything.  With all the EGO on that stage, it’s amazing that...