Wow, my husband and I just had an intentional coffee date this afternoon to connect and this was our conversation - how we are seeing in both of our work environments that the noise is increasing exponentially. I find myself increasingly frustrated as a person trying to put meaningful content into a world that is snowballing into a new normal where everyone is talking and nobody is actually listening (and now so much of the "talking" is AI-created). I have always prided myself on being a good listener and I feel that we have moved way too far away from technology as a tool. Now it is just a vehicle for our noise. It is a drug that feeds our egos, validates our judgments, allows us to live in a mindless drift, and keeps us focused on external validation and the fear that we are not enough unless someone hears us and understands us - and so we are inclined to increase the signal.
What struck me in my conversation with Greg is that many of us assume the solution to being unheard is increasing the signal: more content, more explanations, more posts, more urgency. Yet the real challenge may be that the noise is growing faster than the signal.
I also think you're pointing to something deeper. Technology is incredibly powerful as a tool, but when it becomes a substitute for reflection, presence, or genuine dialogue, it can amplify our need for validation rather than our capacity for understanding.
The irony is that in a world where everyone has a voice, listening may be becoming one of the rarest and most valuable skills. The people who create the greatest impact may not be those who speak the loudest, but those who help others feel understood.
Thank you for sharing this perspective and I love that it emerged from an intentional coffee conversation with your husband. We need more of those.
This was a Brillant article, what I found amazing is you were explaining, "The Art of Communication."
A lot of times, we think we’re being clear just because it makes sense in our own head. But the other person may be hearing something totally different. That’s where communication breaks down. To me, real communication is not just talking more or explaining harder. It’s slowing down, listening better, and making sure both people actually understand each other. That takes patience, humility, and awareness.
That’s what stood out to me most. You did a very good job showing that good communication is not just about sending a message. It’s about making sure the message is truly received.
I believe communication is often treated as a speaking skill when it's really an understanding skill. Most of us leave conversations believing we were clear because we can hear the full story in our own minds. The challenge is that the other person only receives fragments of what we intended.
I also appreciate your point about patience, humility, and awareness. Those qualities may be the very things that determine whether understanding occurs. The strongest communicators I've encountered aren't necessarily the most articulate; they're the most curious. They slow down long enough to make sure the message has landed before moving on.
Thank you for adding this perspective. "It's not enough to send the message; we have to ensure it is truly received" is a lesson worth revisiting in every relationship, team, and conversation.
Wow, my husband and I just had an intentional coffee date this afternoon to connect and this was our conversation - how we are seeing in both of our work environments that the noise is increasing exponentially. I find myself increasingly frustrated as a person trying to put meaningful content into a world that is snowballing into a new normal where everyone is talking and nobody is actually listening (and now so much of the "talking" is AI-created). I have always prided myself on being a good listener and I feel that we have moved way too far away from technology as a tool. Now it is just a vehicle for our noise. It is a drug that feeds our egos, validates our judgments, allows us to live in a mindless drift, and keeps us focused on external validation and the fear that we are not enough unless someone hears us and understands us - and so we are inclined to increase the signal.
What struck me in my conversation with Greg is that many of us assume the solution to being unheard is increasing the signal: more content, more explanations, more posts, more urgency. Yet the real challenge may be that the noise is growing faster than the signal.
I also think you're pointing to something deeper. Technology is incredibly powerful as a tool, but when it becomes a substitute for reflection, presence, or genuine dialogue, it can amplify our need for validation rather than our capacity for understanding.
The irony is that in a world where everyone has a voice, listening may be becoming one of the rarest and most valuable skills. The people who create the greatest impact may not be those who speak the loudest, but those who help others feel understood.
Thank you for sharing this perspective and I love that it emerged from an intentional coffee conversation with your husband. We need more of those.
This was a Brillant article, what I found amazing is you were explaining, "The Art of Communication."
A lot of times, we think we’re being clear just because it makes sense in our own head. But the other person may be hearing something totally different. That’s where communication breaks down. To me, real communication is not just talking more or explaining harder. It’s slowing down, listening better, and making sure both people actually understand each other. That takes patience, humility, and awareness.
That’s what stood out to me most. You did a very good job showing that good communication is not just about sending a message. It’s about making sure the message is truly received.
Art, thank you for this thoughtful reflection.
I believe communication is often treated as a speaking skill when it's really an understanding skill. Most of us leave conversations believing we were clear because we can hear the full story in our own minds. The challenge is that the other person only receives fragments of what we intended.
I also appreciate your point about patience, humility, and awareness. Those qualities may be the very things that determine whether understanding occurs. The strongest communicators I've encountered aren't necessarily the most articulate; they're the most curious. They slow down long enough to make sure the message has landed before moving on.
Thank you for adding this perspective. "It's not enough to send the message; we have to ensure it is truly received" is a lesson worth revisiting in every relationship, team, and conversation.