Listening is a Superpower

Take Pen to Paper: Edition 124

Feb 06, 2025

Happy February!

When I’m with my granddaughters, I must listen carefully to the three-year-old. She speaks clearly for her age, but occasionally I need context to help me understand.

It’s a good thing I have experience listening.

In this newsletter:

Gathering information.
Listening is a simple strategy.
Listening makes a better you.

Listen and Learn

Put me in a new situation or one with many people, and you may find me off to the side listening.

There are many reasons for this, mainly because I am typically quiet by nature.

I learn a lot from listening to others. Usually, I’m learning about them. People like to talk about themselves! I don’t even have to ask questions.

I learn about their hobbies, their families, where they go, their world views, their political leanings, what they think of themselves (especially in art class), and other things depending on the topic of conversation.

I learn all of this just by listening.

Listeners have the same power as soft-spoken people. A soft-spoken teacher can tame a rowdy class when she speaks. When a listener speaks, everyone wants to hear what they have to say. I don’t necessarily find this is my case, but I often ask the quiet person in art to repeat the directions for me.

A Simple Way to Make a Difference

Listening serves a purpose for both the listener and the speaker.

As an educator I discovered I could listen and, possibly, take action to help.

When students were reluctant to go to class, I would turn on my listening ears. I could ask a simple question about their morning and learn that they hadn’t eaten breakfast, their sister was home sick, they forgot their library book and it was library day, or their dog had died.

Sometimes, I could intervene to make their day a little better.

Others need someone to listen, and that’s all.

While babysitting my granddaughters, the three-year-old said, “I’m going to tell you a secret.” She made a ‘pspspspsps’ sound in my ear. My response was, “Really?” That was all she needed.

When I walk between the cafeteria tables at school, spork requests are not the only words I hear. Many times the child just wants to tell me something on their mind.

“Today’s my brother’s birthday.”
“He threw his chip bag over here.” (pointing to the table)
“We’re (pointing to her two friends) wearing the same sweater and black pants every Monday this month.”
“I can show you who was screaming in the bathroom.”

I’m happy to listen and respond.

When behavior is reported, I tell students that I don’t do discipline, and they don’t seem to mind. They are just happy to tell someone. It’s almost like they just wanted to vent, and no action needs to be taken.

When it comes to listening, it’s difficult to tell who benefits the most.

Listening Makes You Better

Talking reveals a person’s character, but so does listening.

Think of your strengths and weaknesses and add listening to them. Listening will enhance them because it gives you time to think, decide, or formulate questions.

Listening gives you time to decide on your words and possibly formulate your opinion. Words have power, so you want to choose carefully. You don’t always have to have something to say.

There are times when you have nothing to say. Perhaps you have nothing to add to the conversation. Listen instead.

Sometimes, you do not know what to say. Listening can be the compassionate action to take.

Listen keeps you from saying something inappropriate or, worse, stupid.

I won’t say any more.

7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good:

I am grateful that I don’t mind listening. I find it to be a superpower at times.
A quote: "Once more he spoke in a quiet voice that gave the powerless man power." - from The Cat’s Table by Micael Ondaatje. 🤫
If you are curious about the benefits of speaking softly, check out this article.
Here’s a brief article about what good listeners do.
It’s a good thing to have someone willing to listen. Sometimes, it feels good saying what’s on your mind out loud. 🗣️
Venting to someone who listens and understands helps us connect. Here’s more about that.
Have I told you how grateful I am that you read my newsletter? I am. You don’t have to respond. Your reading is like listening to me. 👂

Thank you for reading. This week, think about how often you listen.

Until next time,

💚

Susan

When was the last time you were happy you chose to listen? Leave a comment and let me know. I would love to read about it.

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