{"id":10923,"date":"2025-06-17T05:13:56","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T09:13:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/the-art-of-asking-and-listening\/"},"modified":"2025-06-17T05:13:56","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T09:13:56","slug":"the-art-of-asking-and-listening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/the-art-of-asking-and-listening\/","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Asking and Listening"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Profit<\/a>
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Some people carry so much wisdom, I make it a point to listen every time they speak or write. Rodger Dean Duncan is one of them. It\u2019s no surprise he has achieved phenomenal success as an international bestselling author, former senior <\/em>Fortune 100 business executive, and member of two prior White House administrations. If you\u2019ve ever wondered how he gains such insight, this guest post \u2014 From Curiosity to Connection: The Art of Asking and Listening \u2014\u00a0 reveals his secret.<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to note that I neither accepted nor received any compensation for publishing this blog post. My sole purpose for publishing this piece is to share a valuable resource with you.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013\u2013 Frank Sonnenberg<\/em><\/p>\n

From Curiosity to Connection: The Art of Asking and Listening<\/h3>\n

As a young boy, I was curious about most everything around me. I peppered the adults in my life with a barrage of questions: Why won\u2019t fish bite on dead minnows? How do you sharpen a saw? Why are cucumber seeds planted in mounds? What makes thunder and lightning? Is anyone older than God?<\/p>\n

My early teachers, especially my grandfather, always had a patient answer \u2014 liberally seasoned with a heavy dose of common sense and sometimes a sprinkle of humor.<\/p>\n

I carried that inquisitive nature through my school days and into my adulthood. It served me well as a young journalist when I interviewed interesting people like Lyndon Johnson, comedian Jack Benny, Baroness Maria von Trapp, cardiac surgery pioneer Michael DeBakey, historian Arnold Toynbee, pollster George Gallup, luxury retailer Stanley Marcus, anthropologist Margaret Mead, and super investor Warren Buffett. I traded jokes with artist\/illustrator Norman Rockwell and discussed home carpentry with movie idol Robert Redford.<\/p>\n

Of course, I\u2019ve also talked with thousands of not-so-famous people. They\u2019ve all had stories to tell and opinions to express. I\u2019ve learned something every time.<\/p>\n

Yes, I\u2019ve learned to ask good questions. But more importantly, I\u2019ve learned to listen. Really<\/em> listen.<\/p>\n

Whether we\u2019re interviewing a famous person or chatting on the sidewalk with a neighbor, focused listening is among the most generous gifts we can give to other people \u2014 and to ourselves.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what focused listening does:<\/p>\n

Builds stronger relationships.<\/strong><\/span> Shows respect and care, deepening personal and professional relationships.<\/p>\n

Enhances understanding. <\/strong><\/span>Helps you fully grasp other people\u2019s perspectives, reducing misunderstandings.<\/p>\n

Improves problem<\/strong>\u2013solving. <\/strong><\/span>Gathering all information leads to better, more informed decisions.<\/p>\n

Boosts empathy. <\/strong><\/span>Truly hearing someone\u2019s thoughts and feelings fosters empathy and compassion.<\/p>\n

Encourages open communication. <\/strong><\/span>People feel safe and valued, making them more willing to share honestly.<\/p>\n

Reduces conflicts. <\/strong><\/span>Helps prevent misinterpretations that can lead to arguments.<\/p>\n

Builds trust. <\/strong><\/span>Demonstrates reliability and integrity.<\/p>\n

Deepens learning. <\/strong><\/span>Absorbing information attentively improves knowledge and skills.<\/p>\n

Increases patience. <\/strong><\/span>Listening encourages you to slow down and engage.<\/p>\n

Strengthens memory. <\/strong><\/span>Helps you retain details and recall information better.<\/p>\n

Boosts creativity. <\/strong><\/span>Exposure to diverse viewpoints sparks new ideas and innovation.<\/p>\n

Cultivates humility. <\/strong><\/span>Recognizing others\u2019 insights reminds you there\u2019s always more to learn.<\/p>\n

Just before he died, my longtime friend Stephen Covey (author of\u00a07 Habits of Highly Effective People <\/em>\u2014 widely regarded as the most influential personal development book of the 20th<\/sup>\u00a0century) was collaborating with his daughter on a book titled\u00a0Live Life in Crescendo: Your Most Important Work Is Always Ahead of You.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve taken that sentiment seriously. I could have comfortably \u201cretired\u201d decades ago. But I find great satisfaction in interacting with smart people. And listening.<\/em><\/p>\n

Today, I write a Forbes<\/em> column that reaches millions of readers. Most of my columns are based on my conversations with so-called \u201cthought leaders.\u201d They\u2019ve earned that appellation because their views are taken to be authoritative and influential. They think big and they say things worth hearing. (I\u2019ve interviewed Frank Sonnenberg<\/a> multiple times.)<\/p>\n

And in honor of Stephen Covey\u2019s encouragement to \u201clive life in crescendo,\u201d on my 81st<\/sup> birthday I launched my LeaderSHOP<\/a> podcast. The conversations you\u2019ll hear on my podcast are with some of the smartest people around. I appreciate their generosity in sharing their time as well as their opinions. Check it out<\/a>. I believe you\u2019ll agree it makes for good listening and good learning.<\/p>\n

Without a good question, a good answer has no place to go. So, ask good questions. Then, as Frank Sonnenberg suggests, listen with your mouth closed.<\/p>\n

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Check out Frank\u2019s latest book, <\/strong>Values to Live By:\u00a0Know What Matters Most and Let It Be Your Guide<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Are You a Good Listener?<\/h3>\n

Please leave a\u00a0comment\u00a0and tell us what you think or\u00a0share it with someone who can benefit from the\u00a0information.<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional Reading:
Regardless of Circumstances, What We Become Is a Choice<\/a>
Ideas to Transform You from Good to Better to Best<\/a>
Life Lessons: Become The Best Version Of Yourself<\/a>
In a World of Bad Behavior, a Call for Personal Accountabilit<\/a>y
Frank Sonnenberg On Matters That Matter<\/a>
You Are What You Eat \u2026 And What You Read<\/a>
Need a Pick-Me-Up? Try Values to Live By<\/a><\/p>\n

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