This week's post comes from 2008 when I was still teaching. The message is still incredibly relevant as it discusses the importance of listening. Enjoy.
Excelsior!
November 13, 2008
Listen up!
I remember reading a science book and happening upon that page where they showed you how two cups and a string made a crude telephone. I got such a kick out of that idea and I immediately went and tried it. As I sat there with the can to my ear waiting to hear my friend from across the room, I didn't realize it but i was practicing one of the most important skills in producing and in life in general.
Listening.
It seems ridiculous, right? To talk about listening. I mean, we all do it right?
WRONG.
I always say that communication is one of the first things we learn and yet one of the only things we never quite seem to master. There's always some kind of mix up in communication and often it has to do with not listening. When you are out at any event, there are clues being dropped all the time about what audiences want, who has interest in the shows your doing, who knows somebody who could help you, etc. If you don't listen you'll miss those clues.
As a teacher I battle this all the time. I'm trying to explain a book and then I see a kid that has his head down and, sure enough, he fails. When he comes to me at the end of the marking period to find out why he got such a low grade, I explain to him that he didn't listen in class. The same thing happens with Producers.
So the next time you're out and you're telling someone about your next project, take a second to listen to someone else tell you about their project or their life and listen for the clues. We all drop breadcrumbs. You could be talking to your next investor and not even know it.
Listening.
It seems ridiculous, right? To talk about listening. I mean, we all do it right?
WRONG.
I always say that communication is one of the first things we learn and yet one of the only things we never quite seem to master. There's always some kind of mix up in communication and often it has to do with not listening. When you are out at any event, there are clues being dropped all the time about what audiences want, who has interest in the shows your doing, who knows somebody who could help you, etc. If you don't listen you'll miss those clues.
As a teacher I battle this all the time. I'm trying to explain a book and then I see a kid that has his head down and, sure enough, he fails. When he comes to me at the end of the marking period to find out why he got such a low grade, I explain to him that he didn't listen in class. The same thing happens with Producers.
So the next time you're out and you're telling someone about your next project, take a second to listen to someone else tell you about their project or their life and listen for the clues. We all drop breadcrumbs. You could be talking to your next investor and not even know it.
Don't forget there is someone else on the other side of that tin can.
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