 Happy #ListenFirst Friday! This week our message comes from Zenora Watford.
In August of 2020, Pearce Godwin, founder and chief executive officer of the Listen First Project, sat down with Zenora Watford outside a Bojangles in North Carolina to discuss how she navigates conversations across differences.
Her amazing perspective, garnered from over 80 years of living, is filled with grace, kindness, and experiences that can challenge us all to think and act differently, especially toward others who might have vastly different experiences. She has instilled those values in her daughter, Patricia, who also joins the discussion toward the end when talking about how we should treat others as compassionate listeners. In her words, "don't just be hearers of the word, let's be doers of the word." And although coming from a distinctly Christian perspective, we think Patricia's advice is more generally sound: Let's not just say that we will #ListenFirst, let's actually put that idea into practice every day.
How to #ListenFirst in your community: - Come in with an open mind, ready to learn and grow
- Allow others the courtesy of silence while they are speaking
- Maintain a calm and respectful tone while speaking
- Be present and curious rather than thinking how to respond
- Fully engage, free of distractions
This #ListenFirst Friday we encourage you to incorporate Zenora’s wisdom into your everyday conversations. Zenora’s kind words and open ears are a reminder to all that the simplest of actions have an overwhelming effect on someone else.
To watch the video, please visit our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/o7HBbB1sIp0 Thank you for joining us on this journey. About the #ListenFirst Coalition
400+ organizations bringing Americans together across differences to transform division and contempt into connection and understanding. See their many Offerings. Want to be a future #ListenFirst Friday inspiration? Email us! |
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