Sometimes, all it takes to make an unforgettable difference in someone’s life is simply being a good listener. When kind words are added to this act of empathy, the impact becomes real and undeniable. Tim Sanders’ experience is a testament to this. By taking the time to listen to his employees and offer words of encouragement, he was able to make his employee give up on a wrong move.
Tim Sanders is a leadership coach and former Chief Solutions Officer at Yahoo. Sanders advises all of his employees to reach out to their workers and subordinates to show their appreciation for their work. He often tells the story of how he did just that, speaking to his staff individually, giving them positive feedback on their performance, and telling them that he appreciated their efforts. Sanders recalls telling one specific man how glad he was that the man came into his life.
After Sanders visited with his team, he was shocked when that man turned up a few days later and gave him an expensive gift, an X-Box console. As it turns out, this employee had purchased the X-Box by pawning a revolver that he had intended to use to kill himself. After hearing the small words of praise from his boss, the man decided to keep living and seek help for his depression. Just a few kind words were all it took to help him out of his suicidal funk.
“Sometimes people just need people,” Sanders said. But I bring it to you this day that -at all times, people need people.
If only we learn to listen without the intents to judge, if only we learn to speak without the intent to hurt, then we would be averting a whole lot of ugly incidences. May kindness and love for humanity guide our every move.