Communication | Listening

You’re Not As Bright As You Think If Your Ears Don’t Work as Well as Your Mouth

It’s time to flip the script — intelligence isn’t just about speaking up, it’s about knowing when to zip it.

If we humans had ears like this! Photo by kyle smith on Unsplash

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No one likes a loudmouth — and they really don’t make interacting with fellow humans any fun.

We often associate intelligence with speech, but intelligence can also be demonstrated by one’s silence.

Have you ever considered that listening skills are equally as important to intelligence as acquiring it?

This notion is quite captivating. It’s less about packing your mind with information and more about sincerely grasping others’ perspectives.

A Personal Journey Through Listening

Let me tell you a personal experience that highlights this. Some time ago, I participated in a project I was certain would succeed. My confidence was backed by solid data and forecasts.

However, I overlooked a fundamental aspect — active listening. A colleague, Jamie, attempted to identify a potential issue in our plan.