How She Learned to Listen to Her Customers
Discovering that the best business lessons sometimes come directly from the people you serve.
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Contributors
I thought I was there to give answers. One conversation with a superintendent taught me I was actually there to ask better questions.
I recently completed my second book and sent it to a dozen previewers. One reviewer suggested I streamline the number of metaphors I use in teaching about neurodivergence. Challenge accepted, and I was surprised how very versatile one of them was in teaching so many different concepts! Yes, my book is now better! (4D Living with FASD: Shared Voices, Clearer Understanding)
Working in mental health has taught me that sometimes the most valuable feedback comes from simply taking the time to listen. I've learned that what I believe someone needs and what they actually need aren't always the same thing. There have been moments when I thought I had a clear direction for helping someone, only to realize through our conversations that I needed to slow down, ask better questions, and see things from their perspective. As I build New Bearings Counseling & Wellness, I'm carrying that lesson with me. I don't want to create a practice based solely on what I think people need. I want to build something that reflects the voices, experiences, and needs of the people I hope to serve. Sometimes growth isn't about having a better answer. It's about being willing to listen, learn, and change your approach.