Tom Friedman is a political commentator, journalist and 3-time Pulitzer Prize winning author.
I like reading/listening to him – he has a way with words and his analysis is equal to most tasks.
Interviewed recently about the current state of affairs in the world, he was asked about the most important skill for a journalist.
I felt his answer was worth highlighting here – as it applies to everyone regardless of our profession.
Tom Friedman:
“All the stories I got wrong was because I was talking when I should have been listening.
Two things happen when you listen.
One is what you learn when you listen.
But much more important is what you say when you listen.
Coz listening is a sign of respect. And if people think you respect them, it’s amazing what they will let you say to and about them. And if they don’t think you respect them, you can’t tell them the sun is shining.
And so that’s the biggest lesson I learned as a journalist – what you say when you listen is the most important thing you can say at all.”
The interviewer Charlie Rose agreed by closing the interview with an equally memorable quote: “I worship at the shrine of listening.”
Whatever shrine yours is, have a great week ahead everyone.
And may it involve a bit more listening.
Tom Friedman is a political commentator, journalist and 3-time Pulitzer Prize winning author.
I like reading/listening to him – he has a way with words and his analysis is equal to most tasks.
Interviewed recently about the current state of affairs in the world, he was asked about the most important skill for a journalist.
I felt his answer was worth highlighting here – as it applies to everyone regardless of our profession.
Tom Friedman:
“All the stories I got wrong was because I was talking when I should have been listening.
Two things happen when you listen.
One is what you learn when you listen.
But much more important is what you say when you listen.
Coz listening is a sign of respect. And if people think you respect them, it’s amazing what they will let you say to and about them. And if they don’t think you respect them, you can’t tell them the sun is shining.
And so that’s the biggest lesson I learned as a journalist – what you say when you listen is the most important thing you can say at all.”
The interviewer Charlie Rose agreed by closing the interview with an equally memorable quote: “I worship at the shrine of listening.”
Whatever shrine yours is, have a great week ahead everyone.
And may it involve a bit more listening.
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YouTube link to the interview:
Watch the 1:01:01 mark right at the end of the interview for this remarkable exchange.
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