I think most of us would agree that the current Presidential race has been one of the most controversial and interesting elections in some time, regardless of which party or candidate you support. I suppose it\u2019s because so many people feel that our country is at a very important crossroad.<\/p>\n
As the election process has unfolded, it has also become very clear that many of us profoundly distrust not only that process but our political culture as a whole. There\u2019s a strong sense\u2014cutting across party lines\u2014that \u201cpoliticians\u201d will say and promise virtually anything to get elected, but that all too frequently they fail to deliver on their promises. There\u2019s a sense that politicians\u2014especially those \u201con the other side\u201d\u2014simply can\u2019t be trusted to tell us the truth. Without putting too fine a point on it, they lie.<\/p>\n
And underlying all of this, there\u2019s a sense that the people who run for office, and get elected to office, just don\u2019t listen to us. It\u2019s easy to see where that comes from. Just watch any debate or interview. How often do the candidates answer a question directly, as opposed to shifting over to one of their well scripted talking points?<\/p>\n
Some people say, \u201cWell, that\u2019s just the political game. They have to play it that way or their agenda will never be heard.\u201d Or, \u201cThese questions are complicated, but people don\u2019t have patience for complicated answers.\u201d Maybe. But let me ask you this: how do you feel when a political figure\u2014or anyone else for that matter\u2014refuses to give you a straight answer to an important question?<\/p>\n
For myself, when I ask someone a question and they dodge it, I feel that I haven\u2019t been listened to and that the person on the other side of the conversation simply can\u2019t be trusted. If you want me to trust you, the first thing you need to do is show me the courtesy of really listening to what I have to say. Listening is the foundation on which we can build a trusting relationship.<\/p>\n
This is true for all relationships, not just that between political leaders and their constituents. It\u2019s certainly true for business leaders. I\u2019ve mentioned in previous postings that I believe the Servant\u2013Leader model is a better way to lead, but how can you begin to serve your people if you\u2019re not really listening to them?<\/p>\n