Barbara Deming Quotes

Connecting with Canadians isn't about what you say, it's about what you're listening to. It's about what you understand.

Some people think that you have to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference. That is just not true. Often, the best thing we can do is turn down the volume. When the sound is quieter, you can actually hear what someone else is saying. And that can make a world of difference.

One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.

You don't accomplish a lot by changing people's opinions by shoving facts down their throat. I think you change people's opinions by opening your heart up and showing the parallels between you and another person. That's how people's ideas shift.

We cannot learn from one another until we stop shouting at one another

When people feel they’re heard and understood, they’ll listen.

I don't like guys who don't listen.

The best way to persuade people is with your ears - by listening to them.

I love meeting new people; I think everyone has a story to tell. We should all listen sometimes.

This is important: to get to know people, listen, expand the circle of ideas. The world is crisscrossed by roads that come closer together and move apart, but the important thing is that they lead towards the Good.

There is as much wisdom in listening as there is in speaking - and that goes for all relationships, not just romantic ones.

We cannot learn from one another until we stop shouting at one another - until we speak quietly enough so that our words can be heard as well as our voices.

Until you meet, you will never understand each other.

I think I'm always trying to see the other's point of view, dealing in a very heart-to-heart way.

Once you have dialogue starting, you know you can break down prejudice.

We need to understand the other side to impact the other side. We become much more effective as humans and leaders when we engage in hearty conversations with those who are different from us, not necessarily to change our opinions, but to build the empathy muscle.

I just think there's a real art in listening. I need to listen.

The greatest skill that I have is what the viewer has: I listen. I try to listen silently.

Life is a conversation. Make it a good one.

If you listen to a woman, you'll know what she wants.

Be very, very patient and very open-minded, and listen to what people have to say.

Learning is a result of listening, which in turn leads to even better listening and attentiveness to the other person. In other words, to learn from the child, we must have empathy, and empathy grows as we learn.

Everyone has a responsibility to not only tolerate another person's point of view, but also to accept it eagerly as a challenge to your own understanding. And express those challenges in terms of serving other people.

People will feel safer around you and speak truthfully to you when they feel you are listening intently to them.

I listen. I meet with everybody, I don't care what their political persuasion is - whether it be a labor union or small-business folks or individuals who have problems. But I meet with everybody and listen.