Turns out brevity is in….who knew? I’ve been too busy to write a meaningful post so I just disappeared for a time – a big bad blogging no-no!
I met Chris Brogan last week at the 2010 Communication Conference in Portland and, although I learned more than just this golden nugget, I did write this down - “Brevity! Text with value”
Wow – what freedom, permission to be brief! – from one of my favorite bloggers, no less!
So here we go – “texting with value” – determining what consitutes “value” can be elusive…My “winery” followers will find value in knowing when a new release from one of our South Willamette Wineries is rolling out. A Social Media Markerter will find value in a report on the conference, perhaps…and my closer acquaintances/friends seem to enjoy my more personal posts and anecdotes….
Today I am going to write about “growing bigger ears” (another classic “Broganian”). We all need bigger and BETTER ears! I’m in the process of learning an extremely painful lesson right now. I’ve just discovered why my 18 year old daughter thinks I don’t “listen” to her. Our relationship has suffered some deep wounds due to communication issues. How ironic, and tragic, since I’m in the communication business! I realized that I had the wrong filters turned on when trying to communicate with my daughter. I listen with my “mom” filters – my “48 year old” filters and my “female” filters….So when I respond I do so with concern, advice, etc – not what she needs or wants. I have to find a way to listen to her (and HEAR what she is saying) without those filters….A tall order to be sure but I am committed to trying.
What are your filters?
Are you a parent? How old are you? What sex are you? What’s your position – friend? colleague? lover?
All of those things will skew the way the information is received – do you agree?
I’m growing bigger, and better ears – Any advice?
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey D,
My thought is that we all have the filters we listen through due to our own life experiences. so we may end up with the “opposite sex” filter, the “parent abandonment” filter and many others that may be rather difficult to turn off. These can lead to an attitude of indifference because “you don’t know what they are going through” since their parents are still together. In the other direction, there seems to be a human urge to make everything we hear relate to us in one way or another thus losing the point of the other person’s conversation. These are just a few problems I’ve noticed while listening to the people around me and thought you might like some food for thought.
Thanks
Patrick
Guess how I found your post?
I had my big ears on. : )