Listen more carefully

"Hear Me, everyone, and understand." Mk

7:14 NKJV

Jesus said, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand." He spoke life-changing words, but He understood that preoccupied minds don't always listen too well. Are you a good listener? (1) If you're a leader, do you listen to your followers? The kind of leaders people want to follow do more than conduct business when they interact with you; they take the time to get a feel for who you are as a person.

Philip Stanhope, the earl of Chesterfield, believed, "Many a man would rather you heard his story than granted his request." If you're accustomed to listening only to the facts and not the person who expresses them, change your focus--really listen. (2) If you're in business, do you listen to your customers? A Cherokee saying states, "Listen to the whispers and vou won't have to hear the screams." Never get so caught up in your own ideas and products that you don't hear your customers' concerns, complaints, and suggestions. In his book, Business @ the Speed of Thought, former Microsoft CEO Gates said, "Unhappy customers are always a concern. They're also your greatest opportunity." That's why you should make it a priority to keep in contact with the people you're serving. (3) If you're committed to growth, are you listening to your mentors?

You will never become so advanced or experienced that you can afford to be without mentors. If you don't have some, go out and find them. If you can't get some, begin by reading the right books, starting with your Bible. If you're not following in the footsteps of someone wiser, there is a good chance you're not on the right path.