Stephen Covey, the bestselling author and leadership speaker (also Vice Chairman of Franklin Covey - NYSE: FC), spoke to an audience at the University of Utah. The audience included students from all of the major universities in Utah as well as prominent business leaders, venture capitalists and representatives from the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
Matt Marsh, an Associate at the Thorpe Capital Group took these notes on the speech for me:
Mr. Covey's talk centered around the idea of listening. He used the example of an Indian talking stick and the fact that in Indian culture, you were not allowed to speak without the talking stick, requiring you to listen until the speaker was satisfied that you understood and appreciated his or her point of view. He asked the question of how many people in the room had at least two weeks of formal training on listening (two people lied and said yes). Quote, "What air is to the body, understanding is to the heart".
He let this lead into the next question when he asked how many people in the room believe that people in the workforce have more talent and intelligence than they use or are even encouraged to employ? To which nearly everyone in the room answered yes.
He then touched on the topic of surrounding yourself with people that complement your weaknesses. He asked the audience who among them was acutely aware of their weaknesses, to which many replied yes. Then he asked how many had surrounded themselves with people that balanced those weaknesses with complimentary strengths, to which most of those who said yes to the first question replied in the affirmative. Finally, he asked how many people in the room had created a culture in their lives that at least permitted, if not encouraged, those around you to kick back against what you say, to which very few responded yes. He suggested that this was among the core qualities of the greatest entrepreneurs. That the best were comfortable having their decisions questioned by people around them and were excellent listeners to, and adapters of, others' ideas.
Thanks Matt!
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