Listener

Question: How can I set aside my own thoughts today to fully listen without planning a response?

My Story:

David believes that listening is more than being quiet while others speak; he really thinks it is about curiosity – asking the kinds of questions that uncover the real information someone is trying to communicate to you. He sees listening as his superpower. To fuel his listening strength, his phone is full of questions he’s collected over time, and he loves using them to spark deeper conversations.

One Saturday night, he had his daughter and nine of her friends over for dinner. Instead of letting the night settle into small talk, David posed one of his favorite questions: “What formative experience did you have before the age of 17 that still shapes you today?” That single question opened the door to a 30-minute conversation where everyone had a chance to share and reflect, allowing him to successfully just listen.

David admits his kids used to roll their eyes and say, “Dad, stop being annoying!” But now, they ask for his questions so they can use them with their own friends and partners. His daughter even looks forward to him bringing one up when her friends are around. What started as perhaps a personal quirk of David has turned into a way for his family and their friends to build deeper connections.

This strength was also a powerful tool in David’s career as an investor. By asking companies the questions no one else thought to ask, he often uncovered fresh insights. His curiosity and willingness to listen helped him stand out, and it left the people he spoke with more engaged and willing to share.

For David, listening is not passive; it’s dynamic. It helps him build trust, deepen relationships, and keep learning. He jokes about an old saying from work: “God gave us two ears and only one mouth for a reason.”

“Listening isn’t about staying quiet! It’s about asking the right questions that open people up and let you truly learn from them.”

- David