The Power of Listening
When I was young, I often heard parents say, "Children should be seen and not heard."
Times have certainly changed. Today, everyone wants to share their opinion—whether that opinion holds any weight or not. Conversations are often less about connecting and more about waiting for a turn to speak, share a thought, or drop a “fact.” In a world where everyone is talking, the art of listening has become increasingly rare—and incredibly valuable. It's something we talk about often here in our office.
We’ve come to understand that, at the heart of it, most people just want to be heard. They want the chance to tell their story, to express their thoughts and feelings without interruption. They want to say: "This is where I’m at. This is how I feel. These are my concerns."
They just want someone to truly listen.
At our office, it’s not uncommon to see us sitting with our lips closed and an index finger gently placed over our mouths. What does that mean? It means we're doing our best—despite the temptation to jump in—to stay quiet, listen deeply, and give you the space to express yourself. To tell us who you are, where you are, and where you want to go.
Only then might we ask open-ended questions like:
"Why do you feel that way?"
"Can you help me understand how you came to that conclusion?"
We want to hear about your journey—what has shaped you, what you’re facing now, and what worries keep you up at night.
Then we return our index finger to our lips... and simply listen.
Not long ago, I met with a financial advisor from another organization. He proudly shared a “perfect” plan he had created for a set of clients. But when I asked about those clients’ personal views and goals, he couldn’t answer. Why? Because the clients were never given the chance to speak. He had solved a problem that hadn’t yet been shared—because no one had stopped to ask.
If you're looking for an experience where silence is sometimes the most powerful tool in the room, maybe it's time to schedule your Financialoscopy®.
