During a recent Live Better Podcast interview with Sean Swarner (the only person in history to climb the highest mountain on every continent, trek to the South & North Poles, and complete the Hawaii Ironman – all with one lung), we were discussing communication, empathy, and the power of story.

Sean said something that made us stop:

“What I say is about me. What you hear is about you.”

Sean Swarner

Meaning, what I say is my story, my perspective, my bias, my worldview.

Therefore, what you hear is filtered through your lens; the interpretation will always be slightly different.

Selective Listening

Have you ever heard of “selective listening?” We tend to ignore (or even subconsciously dismiss) things that we don’t find important or relevant to us. If we assume the person receiving our message may “selectively listen” to what we say, we can start to change the way we deliver it.

It starts to explain how we might add empathy into our conversations and interactions. We might ask ourselves, “How will this person interpret what I’m trying to say?”

At the end of the day, this may alleviate conflict or misunderstanding if the message can be delivered with more compassion.

From our small interactions to work presentations to major conflict resolution, just remember, “What I say is about me. What you hear is about you.”

Best Day Ever.