I am constantly having ideas and thoughts run into my mind, its nonstop. For me to stop what I am thinking and to choose to listen to the speakers words and really seek to understand what the speaker is saying is an active choice and of high respect. I also believe that everyone that I encounter deserves this respect, everyone deserves my full attention, because I think they are worth listening to.
Over the past week I have caught myself non being present in the moment; today a friend asked me to put my phone down so I could talk to them, as I am writing this I was having a conversation (half typing half talking) resulting in being 100% engaged in neither. If I am this way with the people that are closest to me I wonder how I listen to the people that I work with and the students I teach.
I think that seeking to be understood comes natural to me, I am always trying to get other people to see my way of view. My commitment will be to seek to understand my speaker. I am going to listen to what the other person has to say. I am going to make sure that when they are speaking that I am not having my attention else where, or have other thoughts on my mind. The greatest leaders in my past have all worked in education, and they all seemed to be listening to me in the right moment. I am realizing that as I have experienced, that I too have the power to listen to those around me and make their words and ideas valued.