Ears Or Answers

There’s a riddle hidden in every conversation: is this person asking to be heard or are they asking for a solution?

Deciphering it is less about decoding syllables and more about tuning into the texture of what’s being said. If the words tumble out like steam from a kettle…hissing, venting, fogging the windows…they don’t need you rushing in with duct tape and diagrams. They need the kettle to whistle until it’s quiet.

That’s when you respond with questions: gentle nudges that say, “I see you,” not “Here’s step three of the fix.”

But sometimes the ask is sharper. There’s urgency in their tone, like a flat tire in the rain. That’s not a time to muse about how the tire feels. That’s when you hand them the jack and show them where to wedge it. That’s when you respond with answers.

The trick is to notice the difference between steam and screws. Are they releasing pressure or tightening bolts? One calls for listening, the other for helping. Both are ways of showing up. The art is knowing which one the moment deserves.

Stay Positive & Always Have The Screwdriver Ready, But Learn When To Use It