Listening Leaders Archived Edition

December 28, 2005,

LISTENING LEADERS TAKE INVENTORY

Listening Leaders® find value in periodically taking inventory, and reviewing and celebrating the past. It has been said, that the key to knowing where you are going resides in reflecting where you are, and where you have been. As another year draws to a close, it is time for listeners throughout the land to reflect on their past listening practices.

Of course, many have dismissed the value of looking in the rear view mirror. The legendary Edmund Burke argued, “You cannot plan the future by the past.” The noted Henry David Thoreau claimed one “is blessed over all mortals who loses no moment of the passing life in remembering the past.” Likewise, the witty Charles E. Wilson philosophically suggested “It’s futile to talk too much about the past─something like trying to make birth control retroactive.”

On the other hand and more to our point, Daniel Webster noted, “The past at least is secure.” Andrew Lang counseled, “The little present must not be allowed wholly to elbow the great past out of view.” The importance of reviewing past listening behaviors for all Listening Leaders® was best said by the 17th century philosopher Benedict de “Baruch” Spinoza, with the simple words, “If you want the present to be different from the past, study the past.”

Although, as Oscar Wilde so wisely observed, “No man is rich enough to buy back his past.” everyone is smart enough to learn from it. In the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., “Historic continuity with the past is not a duty, it is only a necessity.”

Therefore, we invite you to pause and undertake a written personal inventory. In this past year, who did you find profit in listening to? Who should you have listened to with greater care? What did you listen to that resulted in great profits or significant costs? Why did you listen and lead some while ignoring others? Where and when did you listen at your best or worst? How did you productively utilize the Ten Golden Rules to Listen, Lead & Succeed? Remember, reflection and listening pays in many ways!

LISTENING LEADER KNOWLEDGE NUGGET: Listening Leaders® revel in review.

In addition to reviewing our past practices of listening to others, taking inventory of how carefully we have listened to ourselves can pay historic dividends.

When the Emancipation Proclamation was presented to President Abraham Lincoln by Secretary of State Seward for the President’s signature, Lincoln took a pen, dipped it in ink, moved his hand to the place for the signature, held it a moment, then removed his hand and dropped the pen. After a little hesitation, he again took up the pen and went through the same movement as before. Lincoln then turned to Seward and said: “I have been shaking hands since nine o’clock this morning, and my right hand is almost paralyzed. If my name ever goes into history, it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it. If my hand trembles when I sign the Proclamation, all who examine the document hereafter will say: ‘He hesitated.’”

Fortunately for freedom lovers everywhere, Lincoln’s hand was firm and the test for all who have tasted and enjoyed the benefits and responsibilities of listening, leading, and taking meaningful action was set.

Listening Leaders® will profit from Soren Kierkegarard’s simple observation that, “People hardly ever make use of the freedom they have, for example, freedom of thought; instead they demand freedom of speech as a compensation.” The key lies in making use of the freedom and responsibility: to listen or not to listen; to agree or disagree agreeably; to identify and control distractions and emotions; and respond in meaningful ways.

As Shakespeare pronounced, “What’s past is prologue.” Thus, before we move to the moment of making resolutions for the future, it is time for all leaders to review past listening activities. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

LISTENING LEADER TIP OF THE WEEK: Review the past benefits and practices of your listening freedoms.

GOLDEN CIRCLE LISTENING LEADERS QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

May the happiest days of your past be the saddest days of your future ~ Abraham Lincoln
The past is a good place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there ~ Thomas Jefferson
The present is the period when the future pauses for a short while before becoming the past ~ José Ortega y Gasset
Even God cannot change the past ~ Agathon
God cannot alter the past but historians can ~ Samuel Butler
If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand ~ Confucius
For those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it ~ Santayana
Life must be lived forwards, but can only be understood backwards ~ Kierkegaard

A LISTENING LEADER GIGGLE:

A man went to a pet store to buy a special bird and discovered that understanding the past will enhance the future. Offered a “Special” bird, the customer asked "What's the big deal? Every pet store has special birds." The storeowner replied "This is a VERY SPECIAL bird because he can sing 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco' in seven languages. Listen to Polly, sing it in German." With just a little coaxing, the parrot followed directions and performed perfectly in perfect German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and English.

Needless to say the customer was quite impressed, and asked the price. The storeowner responded "How much do you have?" After taking an inventory of his available funds, he replied "All I've got on me is $62.18." The storeowner responded "This is your lucky day for that is exactly the price of the bird."

Recognizing the opportunity to recoup what he had paid for the “Very Special Bird” and make some quick money, he went to work and told his co-workers that he had a parrot who could sing "I Left My Heart in San Francisco' in seven different languages. When his co-workers didn't believe him, he challenged them to put their money where their mouths were. After all the bets were placed, he turned to his parrot, and said "OK Polly, how about singing it in French to start off with?" The parrot was silent.

Disturbed, the new owner said, "He is probably just nervous in a new environment. Come on sing in German! Spanish! Italian! Japanese! Chinese! English!” Each time his bird remained silent. When the laughter and remarks from his co-workers subsided, he agreed to pay them all off, and returned to his private office obviously quite embarrassed.

Unable to contain his anger any longer, he shook the cage, and yelled at the bird, "Why didn't you sing and do your thing??!!"

The bird reflected on their recent past and quietly responded "Relax! Relax! Just think of the odds and the payoff we'll get tomorrow!"

A LISTENING LEADERS KUDOS:

In taking inventory of last weeks Kudos, we noted there were two missing paragraphs, so we repeat our Kudos to Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and their elves for being the ultimate yearlong listeners. Although they are only in the public spotlight for a short time of every year, they listen carefully throughout the year. Year after year after year after year.

They listen to what folks throughout the land want. They listen to why everyone wants what they want. They know who is who, and where we are. They know how and when to deliver and they seldom disappoint.

They make a list and check it twice and they know who is naughty and nice. And if you’re not haughty and bother to think twice, you will be neat and leave a treat, for Santa Claus is coming to town. Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday to all!

WE ARE LISTENING TO YOU:

Together, we can change the listening attitudes, skills, and knowledge of leaders throughout the world. We appreciate and invite your assistance in expanding our listening leader’s connections. Simple steps in advancing this important movement include:

To assist you and your colleagues and friends make your 2005 Listening Inventory, we recommend a review of our Listening Leaders book which is available at www.listeningleaders.com/leader
Forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues. Invite them to Subscribe at www.listeningleaders.com
Send us your listening leader insights, examples and stories
Start a Listening Leaders Reading and Discussion Group. Invite your Librarian to purchase our Award winning LISTENING LEADER book.
As meeting, conference, and convention attendees spend the bulk of their time listening, please let others know of our availability to Keynote Conventions and customize Listening Leader Workshops.
Invite us to identify specific needs for listening development of leaders in your organizations.
Ask about our proven listening leader training programs and our customized in-house train-the-trainer strategies and our new Certification program.

We can help, we are committed, and we are listening.

Listen, Lead On & Make Today Count! – Manny & Rick

__________________________________________________________________

LISTENING LEADERS: THE TEN GOLDEN RULES
TO LISTEN, LEAD & SUCCEED

By Dr. Lyman K. Steil
& Dr. Richard K. Bommelje

Publisher: Beaver’s Pond Press
(ISBN 1-59298-073-2)

A pioneering book that directly connects listening with leadership.Based on more than 50 collective years of work with listening leaders throughout the world, Dr. Steil and Dr. Bommelje have created 10 practical, proven, and priceless rules to enhance everyone's listening and leadership success. Although outstanding leaders are outstanding listeners, most leaders have neglected the development of their listening attitudes, skills and knowledge.

“This is the most significant book ever written on listening and leadership and will profit leaders at all levels in all types of organizations and enterprises.” Dr. Ralph Nichols, Father of the Field of Listening

ORDER YOUR COPY at www.ListeningLeaders.com or www.amazon.com

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Dr. Lyman K. (Manny) Steil
25 Robb Farm Road
St. Paul, MN 55127
651-483-3597
LKS@ListeningLeaders.com

Dr. Richard K. (Rick) Bommelje
8530 Amber Oak Dr
Orlando, FL 32817
407-679-7280
RKB@ListeningLeaders.com

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