The Art of Listening
When is action bad? When it isn’t informed enough to create the right movement in the right channels.
I am type A. I am action-oriented. I like to have a brief discussion and dive into action as quickly as possible.
While the propensity to swiftly move can be an asset and strength, it can also lead to hasty assumptions that produce faulty results. This week in particular has been marked by a massive movement to listen. I, for one, have discovered that I have not done a very good job of listening in the past. I am listening now, and I am learning in the process.
This cultural moment has encouraged me to reflect on the art of listening and where I can apply this revelation across multiple areas of my life and, particularly, within my love for creative communications.
OTHERS
Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3. Many of us love the ideas we create. We love our first clever caption that we think is funny. We love how that shirt looks with those new pair of shoes. But sometimes it takes the opinions of those we are trying to engage with to show us if our perceptions match their tastes. Ask others what they think about your content, test the concepts, and be willing to admit your gut reaction might not actually be the most effective approach.
DATA
Data doesn’t lie, as much as we sometimes wish it would. The data tells us what worked, what didn’t, and ultimately helps us get to where we want to be. If we make our opinions king, and not data, our digital interactions run the risk of looking list a buffet enjoyed only by a solo diner.
AUDIENCE
We cannot meet people where we wish they were, we have to meet people where they are. Such is true in life, in conflict, and in the field of digital communication. As much as I love Instagram, if my audience isn’t on Instagram, I can’t will them to see my content from Facebook. Similarly, I love the colors gold and pink. If I am trying to sell to a group that generally prefers black and grey, I need to create my content to capture their attention with a black and grey design.
Listen to the people you want to add value to. Learn what they care about. Engage with how they communicate. Craft communications that feel like home to them. It’s only be discovering the art of listening that we can create art that people listen to.