Listening Pays Off | Monday – Week 4
Listen instead of reading
Take a Moment
Ask God what He wants to show you before reading today
Read The Daily
To answer before listening—that is folly and shame. (Proverbs 18:13)
I’ve been meeting a few new friends for breakfast the last few weeks. One of them is a drug representative (or drug dealer…I really wasn’t listening). Last week, he was telling me about dealing with doctors and how to connect with really busy people, obviously doing some pretty important work. The part that stood out the most however, was I could tell he really focuses on what they are saying and if they are in a hurry or stressed. It reminded me of a quote that I once heard, “The best salespeople in the world are not smooth talkers, but rather are great listeners.”
I used to think I was born to be a better talker than listener but that’s actually not true. Many of us may think that being a good listener is something that certain people are born with, but the truth is, it is a skill that we can develop and improve over time. If you’d like to become a better listener, let me help get you started with a simple framework called the four H’s of listening:
History: Take the time to ask others about their story. Where did they grow up? What experiences have shaped them? Showing genuine interest in someone’s background helps build a connection and understanding.
Heart: Discover what brings joy or passion into someone’s life. Ask about their favorite things, whether it’s a sports team, a restaurant, or a vacation destination. These questions help us see the person beyond their surface level and show that we care about their preferences and interests.
Habits: Inquire about the activities and hobbies that people enjoy in their free time. By understanding what they like to do, we can find common ground and even discover opportunities to join them in their interests, deepening the bond of friendship.
Hurts: Show empathy by asking about any challenges or struggles someone may be facing. By acknowledging their difficulties, we create a safe space for them to open up and share their burdens. Offering a listening ear and support can be a powerful act of kindness.
By incorporating these types of questions into our conversations, we can become great listeners and ultimately be better friends, employees, parents and spouses to those around us.
Prayer for the Day
God what are you showing me? What am I going to do about it?
God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?
Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.
Read The New Testament In A Year
4 x 6 Plan | Read: Luke 22:47-62 & 2 Timothy 1:1-7