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When Experts Decide To Listen

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I used to be self-righteous.

      I’m not now… I don’t think.

Have you ever noticed in the number of topics that you are an expert?

Last week, I was in a conversation with several other individuals and they began talking about the idea of faith. I looked around and knew that I’ve investigated this topic more than anyone else in the room. I know what the scholars think. I knew what was right.

I’m an expert.

I chose to listen.

A few years ago, I would consciously consider myself on a higher field than others because I thought I knew it all. I’m not a spoiled and self-centered premadonna. I’m just human. 

We all think we are an expert in some topic. We walk into a conversation and know the answers to all of the comments and questions that are being provoked. Our knowledge can be one of the major barriers to communication if we aren’t aware of it.

How do you handle it when you walk into a conversation about your topic of expertise? Do you quickly interject with your supreme knowledge and lose any chance of effective communication?

do you listen?

In my conversation about faith, I decided to listen. It was interesting and many people brought up good points (most of which I had allready heard). They seemed to enjoy talking about the mystery of faith and were inspired by their own doubts and questions. They didn’t need my commentary on all the different theories they brought up.

It was an inspiring conversation, but I didn’t think much of it.. until one woman inserted her thoughts into the conversation. She was a beautiful blonde whom is very aware of her style and look. She hit me like a red light. She gave her opinion and a metaphor for the difference between physical faith and supernatural faith. I never heard it put that way before.

I thought her comment was genius.

My mind began to work over her thoughts. I saw connections between different ideas. It was the missing piece that I didn’t even know existed. I thought I was the expert, but the one who knew more than me was a bleach blonde who hadn’t even heard of Soren Kierkegaard.

It is funny who you can learn from when you listen during a conversation.