EXPRESSIONS BY POORNIMA

A few weeks ago, during a hectic day at work, one of my teammates walked up to me, visibly upset about a work situation that didn’t go as planned.

My first instinct was to jump in and offer solutions – “Let’s fix it this way,” “Maybe we can try that.”

But something in his tone made me pause.

Instead, I decided to just listen.

For the next ten minutes, I said almost nothing and just nodded, asked a few questions and let him pour it all out.

By the end of it, he smiled and said,

“Thanks, I just needed someone to hear me out.”

Infact we together came up with solutions for the situation with simple tasks that would change the course.

That moment stayed with me.

I recently read (or should I say heard) the classic “𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞” 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞.

It was reassuring to realize that many of the principles he talks about are things I already try to practice in my daily interactions.

But the one that truly resonated with me was this:

“Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.”

Listening sounds simple, but it’s one of the hardest skills to practice, especially in the middle of tight deadlines, targets and constant distractions.

Yet, it’s also the one skill that transforms relationships, both at work and at home.

Whether it’s a colleague with an idea, a spouse sharing their day, or a child trying to express something in their own little way, listening and acknowledging someone’s perspective can diffuse tension, build trust and create deeper connections.

The picture in this post shows me actively listening to someone talking to me 🙂

In marketing too, this principle is golden.

When we listen to our customers , before launching a product, while they experience it, and after, we uncover insights no analytics dashboard can reveal. That feedback helps us create better products, stronger messaging and more loyal relationships.

The book reminded me that influence doesn’t start with talking, it starts with listening.

Because at the end of the day, people don’t just want to be heard.

👉 They want to be understood.

What about you?

Has there been a moment where simply listening changed the outcome for you — at work or in life?

#Leadership #Communication #Marketing #Listening #DaleCarnegie #PersonalGrowth #Empathy