A Certified Licensed Listener Course

We have speech courses to teach us how to become effective public speakers. What if we learned to become quiet observers and listeners?

Improving listening skills isn’t taught in most schools, yet it’s one of the most valuable abilities we can develop. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, leader, or friend, learning to truly listen can transform every relationship.

The Problem: Everyone Talks, Nobody Listens

Case in point, I worked at a school and one day during a lunch break, a coworker invited me to watch a group of students standing in the hallway. She asked, “If everyone’s talking, who’s listening?” I looked at the group and four of the six students were chattering at the same time. One of the six students scrolled through his phone while the other non-speaker looked mildly engaged with the excessive dialogue.

What If We Required Listening Certification?

What if we implemented a universally required listen-to-understand course? Or a listen-to-respect class where everyone from ages 3-103 would complete an age-appropriate observation and listener certification?

We have licenses, renewals, recurring bills, and ongoing upgrades for nearly everything else. Why not universal certifications for compassionate observation and respectful listening?

We live in a world where memberships speak. What about a yearly required certification as a “Licensed Listener?”

How to Improve Listening Skills: The 4-Second Pause

Trial and (much) error has taught me the value of pausing to open my ears and shut my mouth before responding. When I went through my master life coach certification, the professor taught us to incorporate a four-second pause between each question and answer. He said when we put space between each sentence, mutual clarity increases and tension decreases.

This wisdom aligns with journal reflections about slowing down to gain perspective.

Four seconds to pause between sentences.

Easy to write, simple to understand. Harder-than-heck to implement this “simply easy” approach. Like embracing a slow and steady approach, pausing creates space for clarity and purpose.

When I pause to “read the room” with kindness, I feel more tranquil and believe that can create an overall peaceful energy. This kind of intentional awareness reminds me of the value of being more mindful and aware in all my interactions.

When I face heated interactions, I pause to consider, “How would I want someone to respond if this person or situation involved someone I love most?”

Learning to pause has been part of practicing self-control in a distracted world—choosing God’s rhythm over rushed reactions.

I send you with a reflection to consider how a change of pace and space could benefit you?

Listening more. Talking less,

Christina

Reader! Your turn!

What have you noticed when you’re listening to someone who speaks rapidly?

How do you feel when someone talks more than they listen?

When do you notice that you talk more than you listen?

Want to explore these communication patterns more deeply? Try Christian writing prompts to reflect on your relationships.

Kindly leave your thoughts so we can stop and learn from each other.

“…You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (James 1:19 NLT).