Copyright of Ngee Key

Global Learning & Development (GL&D) for MSD – Leadership Development Trainer, Executive Coach & Advisor , Singapore

Unlocking Leadership Wisdom through Chinese Characters: The Art of Listening

We all know how to listen, right? But have you ever considered the intricate process of listening and its ancient wisdom? In modern leadership and coaching training, we’re taught about active listening, empathy, and effective communication. What’s fascinating is that these principles aren’t modern at all—they’re ancient, embedded in Chinese characters. Take 聽 (tīng), which means ‘to listen. It’s composed of six characters:

耳 (ěr) – Ear: Listening begins with your ears, but it’s more than just hearing words; it’s about understanding the tone and topic.

王 (wáng) – King: This character implies respect. Listening means treating the speaker as a ‘King,’ valuing their words and perspective.

十 (Shi) – Complete: Complete listening involves full engagement. It means giving undivided attention, understanding, asking questions, and offering empathy—ensuring the speaker feels heard and valued.

目 (mù) – Eyes: Listening with your eyes means reading nonverbal cues like body language and facial expressions, which convey emotions and intent.

一 (yī) – One: You are the only one. No one else. No duplicates, no replicas.

心 (xīn) – Heart: listening with genuine empathy, understanding, and sincerity. It involves not just hearing the words spoken by the speaker but also connecting with their emotions, feelings, and perspective on a deeper level.

This ancient character’s evolution reflects a profound shift from passive hearing to active understanding.

It teaches us that 聽 (ting) is not merely hearing and speaking but a dynamic process of listening and comprehending.

Next time when you engage in a conversation, remember the parts of 聽 (ting)’.

Be a better listener, a trusted conversation partner, and watch how it elevates your communication and coaching skills. It’s simple yet incredibly powerful.

Share your thoughts below on how these ‘sub’ characters can enrich in today’s society in your coaching and leadership journey.

The above article can be found on the following link.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ngeekey_unlocking-leadership-wisdom-through-chinese-activity-7114790608052883456-2N6T/