Listen... to be HEARD... explained!

I have been asked to explain my Motto... and so here it is... the long & short of why I selected this phrase.

My motto is "Listen to be Heard", and is directly related to my experiences as a volunteer and work as a public relations professional.

After a year of volunteering & working with a homeless shelter, It became obvious to me (especially after I was told by Ms. Runner) that some people like the homeless/nomad lifestyle. Ms. Runner (I gave her that name!) & her hubby were married for 30 + years, had two children (doctor & lawyer), and at one time owned a home worth close to 500K (I saw the documents & records!). After their last child went to college, they retired from their "everyday crap" and took upon themselves a lifestyle of freedom and travel. She mentioned they had to deal with the negative connotations that come with being homeless, but that didn't stop them because they enjoyed the unhindered lifestyle! They had visited 40 of the continental states and had a great relationship with family & friends, that after a while accepted their new found luxury! They stayed in shelters while in the cities, and lived off the land in rural areas of the country.

Why is this important... how does this tie into my motto. Well, my job was to assist people in obtain resources for transitional living. It was my "job" to help them find the information needed... in order to do that, I had to listen to them and allow them to tell me what they wanted & needed. It was then, that they were able to hear me as I described options based on what THEY WANTED AND NEEDED. I went into the position thinking I knew what was best, (i.e. stable housing & employment), but I was initially unable to help people because I didn't listen to their needs!

I take this approach in business & volunteer work. Although I might have the best ideas, services, or products in the world, it makes little difference if I don't listen to the needs of my clients and their target audience/markets. I have volunteered at homeless shelters, battered women shelters, child/foster centers, various community centers & community projects as well as professional, religious, and XXX based organizations I have been involved in. Every experience has the same given me the same lesson, I can't help until I know what you want or need!

If you want your public to hear you, your organization must be comfortable & capable of listening to them! If your public tells you, "I get my info from XXX", "I value XXX", or "I wish we had XXX"; it is your responsibility and duty to provide for those needs within your companies abilities.

Are you listening and putting your message in the right hands... or just talking because you think we want to hear you?

LaKisha Geans
Media & Public Relations
GeanPool Consulting
www.GeanPoolPR.com

Listen... To Be Heard!