Jim Vickaryous

Abraham Lincoln once said, “When I am getting ready to reason with a man, I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I am going to say and two-thirds about him and what he is going to say.” These words encapsulate a fundamental truth for lawyers — the power of listening. In a profession where advocacy and representation are paramount, being an active listener is a transformative force that can elevate one’s practice to new heights.

Listening to something you don’t want to hear is one of the hardest things a human being can do. It’s even harder for lawyers. It is unnatural to sit and listen to ideas and opinions that we disagree with. It is easy to tune out and think about all of your priorities or prepare what you want to say next. It is even harder to listen intently to someone who you disdain. However, you may dislike an idea, a position, a person, it is to your benefit to listen and understand what they are saying. After all, you can’t fully combat what you don’t like if you don’t fully understand the opposition.