The Wisdom of Listening
- Tim Thürnau
- Jan 21
- 3 min read
"Most of us don’t listen to understand—we listen to reply. And that’s the problem."
Hello friend,
When was the last time you felt truly heard? Not just nodded at or interrupted mid-sentence, but genuinely listened to.
It’s rare, isn’t it? In a world full of noise, real listening feels like a lost art. And I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of hearing someone speak while my mind was busy crafting my response. But the truth is, listening isn’t about waiting for your turn to talk—it’s about creating a space for connection.
Why Listening Feels So Rare
Listening takes effort. It requires slowing down, being present, and focusing on someone else instead of yourself. And let’s be real—that’s hard in a world that’s constantly shouting for our attention.
But here’s the thing: when you truly listen to someone, you’re not just hearing their words. You’re telling them they matter. That their story, their feelings, and their perspective are worth your time.
The Difference Between Hearing and Listening
Hearing is passive. It’s what happens when someone’s words bounce off your eardrums while you’re thinking about your grocery list.
Listening, on the other hand, is active. It’s about understanding, empathizing, and connecting. And when you listen like that, you’re not just giving someone a gift—you’re opening yourself up to learn something new.
How to Become a Better Listener
Listening isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being present. Here’s how to start:
Ask More, Assume Less: Instead of jumping to conclusions, ask open-ended questions to understand the other person’s perspective.
Resist the Urge to Interrupt: Give people the space to finish their thoughts, even if you’re dying to chime in.
Be Curious: Treat every conversation as an opportunity to learn something new about someone else—or yourself.
How to Wing It
This week, challenge yourself to have one conversation where your only goal is to listen. No advice, no interruptions—just curiosity. Notice how it changes the dynamic.
Final Thoughts
Listening is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to show you care. It deepens relationships, fosters understanding, and builds bridges between people. So, next time you’re in a conversation, remember: listening isn’t about you—it’s about the person you’re with.
Bridging Worlds
If you want to see me wing it, I do a podcast with cool people. You should subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.
This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Lea Henzgen, the Founder of WANDLAY, Co-Founder of the AMES Foundation, and a proud member of Forbes 30 under 30. Lea’s journey from the corporate world to becoming a trailblazer in luxury travel and wildlife conservation is extraordinary.
A standout moment from our conversation?
"We’ll regret the things we didn’t do far more than the things we did. Just start – that’s where the real learning begins."
In this episode, Lea shares:
How she bridges the gap between luxury and sustainability.
The role honesty and personal values play in creating meaningful impact.
Practical steps to align your vision with action—no matter where you start.
Personally, I found Lea’s story deeply thought-provoking, especially her perspective on how overwhelming it can feel to make a positive impact in the world. Her advice to focus on what we can and want to influence—taking responsibility for those areas—resonated deeply with me. She emphasizes that real change starts small, often with simple, intentional actions, and grows over time like a ripple effect, creating a chain of positive impact. This mindset reminded me how powerful it can be to start where we are and build from there with purpose and clarity.
🎧 Don’t miss this episode with Lea Henzgen—tune in on Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube!
Keep winging it,
Tim