What I Learned by Saying Less

Hi there,

I’ve often wondered about my place in the world.

About my contribution and whether it made a difference.

This mindset was particularly difficult in my youth, where I didn’t have the benefit of experience.

But as I grew, I noticed something: when I listened closely, I gained insights others missed.

The quiet observation led to a rhythm that aligned with my personality and it ended up being a perfect fit for my SEO career.

I found joy in being a listener.

Listening as a Learned Social Response

In my youth, a reserved demeanor often meant that I would be the last to contribute to a conversation.

It also meant that I would fall farther down in a classroom’s pecking order.

The silver lining was I developed an ability to observe and listen more intently to surrounding conversations.

What’s more, I better discerned the mood among my peers; you could say, it helped me be more empathetic.

From Listening to Translating to Trust

Listening encourages infodump (read about a reluctant SEO’s deluge) which has allowed me to sift through details.

As I developed more authority, expertise, and relationships in the SEO space, listening led to the ability to translate.

I’d restructure the dialogue to match the audience’s level of understanding, making the scenario clearer and easier to act on.

Once I have an understanding of a scenario, building trust comes more easily.

Why Listening Is Your Most Underrated Advantage

The impact of being an active listener is far reaching.

Listening is the root of communication and healthy relationships (ask any couple’s therapist).

Listening is the bedrock of sound strategy (when the market speaks, listen).

Listening leads to personal growth (deepening self-awareness).

By listening, you see your role in patterns and relationships more clearly, which is key to evolving how you show up.

The Quiet Skill That Speaks Loudest

Listening requires effort but it builds trust faster than any tactic.

What’s more, it requires patience, a re-shift in priorities, and different modes of communication.

Pretending to listen won’t cut it either; when it’s time to recall what someone’s shared, your level of engagement will show.

We all have opinions and being in the limelight is pleasant but holding back and listening is where real influence begins.

It’s the quiet work that earns respect, deepens relationships, and sharpens your thinking.

Because when you make space for others, you grow, too.

Until the next one. Take care.