The Dilbert cartoon in today’s globe and mail started off ” The biggest risk to your happiness is listening to other people”.  The punch line, ” When they are not trying to make you work, they are complaining.

What a great topic for a blog post

Like famed the comic Seinfeld, Dilbert cartoons have a way of expressing everyday  behavior that makes you wonder about societies sanity.  The typical reaction is laughter.

Listening to others is in fact a key to success.   However,  the most critical skill in this regard is the ability to filter.  If all you hear are demands or complaints, little value is achieved.

On the other hand, in order to practice the personal value “everybody is important” you have to listen. This is key to understanding, collaberating and leveraging  the greatness within others (i.e., the value within everybody).

The truth in the cartoon

The cartoon highlighted for me a trueism.  Others frequently do either want get something from you or share a hardship for sympathy.  Simplistically stated, this is human nature.

Usually hidden within the demanding and whining  are important facts, pieces of information you can leverage to influence achievement.   Things you can use in a positive way.

To do this though, first you need to listen.  Next  interpret what you are hearing and finally formulate the information into action.  That is, goal focused action.  Bring the other party along for the ride and it’s a collaberation.

And this is a powerful way to get things done.  So on the surface listening does have it’s pitfalls,but in the long run it’s a tool strong leaders can’t afford not use.