October 31, 2025 Why Listening Wins Every Time (Even When You Know You're Right)
“Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking.”
- Bernard M. Baruch
Listen to, or read this meditation:
Here's something I learned the hard way: being right doesn't feel nearly as good as being close.
We've all been there. You're in the middle of a heated conversation with someone you love. Maybe it's your spouse, your kid, or your best friend. Your heart's racing, your mind's spinning, and you've got the perfect comeback locked and loaded. You ‘know’ you're right. You've got facts, logic, and receipts to prove it.
But here’s the truth bomb nobody wants to hear: winning the argument might just cost you the relationship.
See, when we fight to be right, we're really fighting to be heard. We want our point to land, our perspective to matter, our feelings to count. The irony? The other person wants the exact same thing. And when two people are both shouting to be heard, nobody's actually listening.
Think about the last time someone truly listened to you. Not the fake kind where they're just waiting for their turn to talk. I mean the real deal - where they looked you in the eyes, put down their phone, and actually absorbed your words. It felt like gold, didn't it? Like someone finally saw the real you.
That's what listening does. It builds bridges while being right builds walls.
When you choose listening over being right, something magical happens. The other person feels valued. They feel safe. They feel loved. And here's the kicker - they're way more likely to actually hear ‘your’ side when they feel heard first.
Your relationship isn't a courtroom. There's no judge handing out winner ribbons. It's a partnership, a team, a safe harbor in a stormy world. Every time you prioritize being right, you're choosing your ego over your connection. And trust me, that's a trade you'll regret.
The strongest relationships aren't built on who wins the most arguments. They're built on two people who care more about understanding each other than scoring points. They're built on grace, patience, and the wisdom to know that being close beats being right every single time.
Sure, facts matter. Truth matters. But relationships aren't held together by who's got the best logic. They're held together by love, respect, and the beautiful choice to listen - really listen
- even when everything in you wants to be right.
Your Action Step: This week, try this simple practice. The next time a disagreement starts heating up, pause. Take a breath. Then say these powerful words: "Help me understand your side." Then zip it and actually listen. Don't plan your comeback. Don't defend yourself. Just listen like their words are treasure. Watch what happens to your relationship when you do.
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