It has been said that to see the difference between introverts and extroverts can watch a room full of both personality types. In a room full of introverts, one wonders – Is anyone going to talk? In a room full of extroverts, one wonders — is anyone going to listen?
Today in an age of anonymous social media platforms it seems like everyone is an extrovert to some degree – talking but not listening and only with those who share and reinforce their views.
Listening to others, really listening to others is a lost art.
As a result, people often communicate with like -minded individuals in an echo chamber, hearing from others what they already think and reinforcing their world view is not only correct but widely shared.
As a result we are deeply divided and often oblivious to other opinions on the issues of the day.
There is a solution that is elegantly simple, if done.
As individuals and as a society we need embrace the idea that listening is more than waiting for your turn to talk.
We also need to heed the words of former U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, a Democrat who very ably served our country under two Republican Presidents – Nixon and Ford , Moynihan famously said “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but not to their own facts.” Moynihan could have added every one also has an obligation to seek the facts.
One way to seek facts is to listen intently to others who share your opinions AND to those who challenge your positions.
In doing so you can avoid the concern expressed once by Robert McCloskey who said “I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.
Talbot County resident David Reel is the Maryland Director at Quantum Communications, a public affairs and public relations consulting firm. He also serves as Managing Partner of The Gladstone Group, a consulting firm that helps not for profit organizations address challenges and opportunities on leadership, governance and management matters. He is also Chair of the Republican Central Committee of Talbot County.
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