What most people need is someone to listen, not necessarily someone to agree with them.
Questions are an essential aspect of listening, because it opens up new spaces to share.
When you listen to someone, you can see their back straighten up, their face light up, almost like a physical weight was lifted off. They look lighter.
One of the strange things about listening is that if you are doing it right, you will be surprised at what you learn. Sometimes it is the tears people have held in for so long, or the stories that do not match the image you see.
When you truly listen, you will find less need to offer advice, and more need to en-courage. Courage to break free from familiar entrenched pain.
– Osasu Oviawe
Listen
