Keiter Mediation LLC

Good listening isn't something some people simply have and others don't. It's something we can learn, practice, and develop.

Last week we thought about what we are listening for. This week let's consider who we are listening to.

How we see the person we're listening to can shape what we're able to hear.

If I view you as an adversary, I may find myself listening for the things that reinforce our differences. If I view you as an ally, I may be more likely to hear the things we have in common.

Seeing someone differently doesn't mean we have to agree with them. But the way we see others can influence our understanding and our ability to collaborate. The good news is that we can become more aware of the way we're viewing the person in front of us.

The next time you find yourself in a difficult conversation, pause for a moment and ask yourself:

“How do I view the person I'm listening to?”

If you realize you're viewing this person primarily as an adversary, ask whether there might be another way to see them. Then notice whether changing your perspective changes what you're able to hear.

You might discover shared interests, concerns, or experiences that were there all along but were difficult to hear through the lens of opposition. And that discovery just might open another path forward.

I'd love for you to continue on this journey with me. And if this reflection connects with your own experience, I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts.

What will people truly remember about your leadership when your tenure is over and the office doors close for the last time? It will never be the authority you held, but the dignity and grace with which you treated every single human being.

Positions are temporary. Ranks and titles are limited. But the way you treat people will always be remembered. In the fast-paced race for corporate achievement, it is dangerously easy to get caught up in the vanity of executive titles and organizational power. Yet, titles are merely rented—eventually, every badge is returned, every office is cleared, and every position is filled by someone else.

What endures forever is your character and your heart. Long after people forget the strategies presented in boardrooms or the targets hit in quarterly reviews, they will never forget how you made them feel in moments of vulnerability, failure, or celebration. When you choose to lead with deep empathy, respect, and kindness, you build a legacy that transcends any organizational chart. Treat people with the honour they deserve. Use your influence to uplift, protect, and empower others, and your leadership will echo for generations.

Titles are temporary, but character is eternal. Lead with compassion, value human dignity, and leave a legacy of kindness.

Ready to master the ultimate blueprint of human-centric leadership and cultivate an inspiring, high-trust culture where your team thrives every single day? Order copies of my book The Blueprint of Leadership on Amazon for your entire team today. Titles fade, but character endures. Treat people with honor, lead with your heart, and leave a legacy of kindness.

Invest in your team’s growth. Order on Amazon today: https://geni.us/s2nooOD

What would it be like to help people work together to resolve their dispute? Mediation allows the parties to be in control. The mediator guides the process and the parties make all the decisions - saving them time, money and additional stress.

Great communication isn't about having all the answers.

It's about making people feel heard.

Listen first.

Speak second.

https://janeherlong.com/

Home - Office for Dispute Resolution The Office for Dispute Resolution Providing Resources For Parents and Educators The Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) provides the resources for families and educational agencies to resolve educational disputes for children served by the early intervention system, students who are gifted (or thoug...

Today’s phrase of the day
Concord
Noun
US Pronunciation: /kon-kord/
UK Pronunciation: /kon-kord/
Origin: Latin

Meaning: Peaceful agreement or harmony between people or things.

A gentle reminder that harmony is built through patience, respect, and understanding. Concord begins when we choose to listen before we judge.

Example:
The two communities lived together in concord for many years.

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Food for thought regarding listening: After spending time in conversation with another person or group of people, do you reflect on how emotionally and mentally present you were during the conversation? And do you think this is something worth your attention?