Sometimes Listening Is All We Need

“Vikas, I need your help. My son who’s pursuing his undergrad in Canada needs counselling and I want you to interact with him.”

I received a call from AB a few weeks back.
He sounded a bit worried.

AB is a very senior employee with a large organisation and I have known him for 2 years. He was one of the participants in a workshop conducted by me.

I told AB that I am not into 1-0-1 coaching.
He still insisted.

I sensed the urgency and the desperation in his voice.
I agreed.

I had a brief introductory call with his son the next day.

This was more about familiarisation as one needs to get on the same page as a 21 year old youngster.

I asked him one question and wanted him to ponder over the same until our next conversation.

A few days later we had a good, candid conversation.

He initially thought he was confused about priorities in his life, but it wasn’t so. He was absolutely crystal clear on what he wanted.

We had spoken for 30 mins but he wanted to continue. I decided to hang up to let him absorb everything that he had shared.

We decided to connect again after a week.

We logged in again last Sunday and carried on from where he had left.
My endeavour was to let him speak.
We spoke another 30 mins.

At the end of the call, he was thankful for the conversation..

AB called up the same evening – seemed visibly happy.

He wanted to know the advice I had shared with his son.

You know what – I had hardly shared any advice!!

His son spoke his heart out and he found someone who was ready to listen to him 🙂

Most of us go through the same dilemma in our lives.

We have the answers.
We simply want to be heard.
Period.

My dear friend, you have all the answers!

Read more on LinkedIn