THE CARD
A thought for the day.
I brought a rescue boat to somebody’s victory lap.
I had fifty ways to fix their problem before they finished talking.
They were explaining how they’d handled it. I was still inflating the boat.
Well, damn. Let them finish.
Sometimes being useful means keeping my mouth shut long enough to hear the whole story.
Am I listening—or launching a rescue nobody called for?
THE LESSON BEHIND THE LESSON
Let them finish.
When somebody starts telling me about a problem, my brain can have the rescue operation underway before they reach the good part. Meanwhile, they might already have handled it—or just want someone to listen.
Wanting to help can come from a good place. Listening first gives me a chance to understand what the other person actually needs instead of deciding for them.
I can let them finish and ask, “Do you want ideas, or would you rather I just listen?” The boat can stay on shore until it’s needed.
Am I listening to understand, or getting ready to fix?