Mar 28, 2007
Because the amount of time I have to post on this blog fluctuates dramatically, I've found it hard to stick to one theme. I guess that's good since at the end of the day, if no one reads this but me, it'll be a good record of where my mind was at various points in time. That said, one of the many topics I'd like to write regularly about is "listening".
This evening I was watching Charlie Rose on PBS (the only channel worth watching). Each night this week he's asking his guests what they would advise the next president of the United States to do. Tonight he aired conversations with Madeline Albright and Newt Gingrich. They were on separately- he taped Gingrich last night. Independent of each other, each one's first comment was that the next president must be able to listen. Gingrich went as far as to say that the next president should take a tour of the world, go to as many countries as possible... go to their capitals and let them invite whoever they want. Go there and listen carefully to what they have to say. In order to be an effective leader of the world (a role we have, like it or not), we must have an appreciation for what those being led care about.
This is such sound advice, it's hard to find a place to begin. Listening is one of the most important skills that as Americans, we're never taught. Americans grow up believing that we know best, and that others will submit to our will. Our current president is a stellar example of that thought process.
One of the many lessons that I've learned in the past two years is that I don't know everything. And that by listening to others carefully, not only do I learn a lot - it reinforces for me just how much I can learn from others. Wikipedia is a fantastic example of this.
For all of Wikipedia's faults, it will eventually be the most comprehensive and most representative living document of the history of our world. Why? Because it builds on the collective knowledge of everyone with access to the Internet. Throughout history, a select few had total control of what history was recorded, and what history was cast aside. Today, one person can write an account of an historical event; and someone else can refute that account - or offer another perspective. This result is great; because it gives future readers an opportunity to experience / listen to multiple takes on a given event. As is often the case - both (or any number) of accounts will partially be right.
I read Google News (as my primary news source) for the same reason. When something happens in Israel, Google News will lead me to news reports from around the globe. This access offers me insight as to how a particular event affected different people, giving me a better appreciation for what happened.
I really do hope the candidates are watching Charlie Rose's interviews this week, and listening carefully.
Labels: Listening, Philosophy
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