MAD Kids: Hear it From the Kids

Have you ever been in a conversation where, while the other person is talking, you’re already thinking about what you’re going to say? I have. We may call it listening, but sometimes we’re really just waiting for our turn to give an answer.Recently, at our Eagle Kids Camp, I was reminded of something incredibly simple: Sometimes the best thing we can give someone isn’t an answer. It’s a question.Our campers spent time learning about personalities, relationships, and what it means to Listen, Learn, and Lead. They were given room to be uncomfortable, make mistakes, try again, and discover some things for themselves. And that may be a lesson all of us need.Listen. Listening opens the door. Before we can understand someone, we have to be willing to truly hear them.Learn. Ask sincere questions. Be curious about what someone thinks, feels, or sees that you may be missing. A sincere question can uncover something that confidence alone may miss.Lead. Leadership isn’t always about having the answer. Sometimes leadership means creating enough space for someone else to discover the answer, and then helping them take the next step.This week, I want to challenge you to ask one more question before giving your answer.“What do you think?”“Tell me more.”“What am I missing?”Those simple questions can change a conversation and strengthen a relationship.And if you want to hear this lesson from some people who may explain it better than I can, listen to our latest epsiode of the Relationshifts podcast and hear directly from the kids at Eagle Camp. I think you’ll enjoy what they have to say.When we choose to shift from having the answer to asking the question, we will make a difference.Larry