A LETTER FROM CHRIS SUAREZ

YOU HAVE A VOICE

It’s important for every one of us to have a voice. That voice needs to be heard in random conversations, in relationships, in business partnerships, by the teams we are on, and the communities we are in.

That voice can be heard by what we say, how we show up, what we write, and messages we send and post. It’s through this voice that we share what we think, what we believe, what we feel, what we need, and what we have to give.

I’ve used these letters as a voice to our team over the past 180+ weeks to share a simple lesson, a simple thought, a simple directive, a simple observation, or a simple message of encouragement. There has never been a week in three and a half years that I didn’t have something to say. There has never been a week where I didn’t use that voice on a Saturday evening or Sunday morning to connect with people that mean so much to me. 

Do I have that much to say? No. Do I feel my voice is that important? No. Do I wake up every morning dying to have conversations? No. Do I think others wake up on Sunday morning just waiting to read what I wrote? No.

I realized that I only have something to say at the end of each week because I am willing to listen to others throughout the week. The humorous expression that God gave us one mouth and two ears isn’t lost on me. At times I need to remind myself that my input and output should probably match that proportionately. I took as much time this week as I could to stop and listen. When I felt like talking or sharing I would remind myself to just listen. Not always easy - as we all want to have a voice. We all need a voice. We all need to listen as well. 

This week I made an effort to listen to new people I met. I listened to my business partners. I listened to one of my mentors. I sought out new people to listen to. I listened to my daughter talk for what seemed like a couple hours straight. I listened to two new podcasts and some new music. And I listened to my own thoughts scattered in there on a few runs and hikes. This week was a week of listening. 

So many conflicts and disagreements come from lack of listening. We are unwilling to hear another human out. We want to have our voice heard before it is quieted. So we look for ways to make our voices louder, without realizing we look and sound like the American that showed up in Mexico. You are the one that decides that if you speak English just a little slower and at a shouting-level decibel, suddenly they will all understand you.

So while, yes, we all have, and need, and want a voice, imagine your world and business and relationships where you listened just a little bit more. A valuable voice is developed by becoming an observer, a great listener. Look for opportunities to listen. Yes, you have a voice. But it is your ears that make you the most interesting person in the room.

Over the next few weeks, I will be changing the format of these letters and how I deliver or use that voice. I have been working on this for some time over the many week that I write these posts. Stay tuned…

Chris Suarez