“Listen twice as much as you talk and others will hear twice as much of what you say.” Nido R. Qubein. Nido should know. He’s the President of High Point University, and a professional speaker.

This quote reminds me so much of George Washington. George would listen carefully to his soldiers in the Revolutionary War—and you know how that turned out!

I think the best example of Washington’s listening skills took place at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. George was elected President of that convention, even though originally he didn’t intend to attend. He listened to his friend James Madison, and decided he must be there.

While in the President’s chair at this Convention, George rarely made any speeches or gave his feelings about the subjects being debated.

Instead he listened carefully to the words being spoken. Then he would meet with several of the delegates privately or at lunch between the sessions. There he would render his advice or opinion. He would talk with his friends personally out of the meeting room. That way he made a great impression on those whose job it was to vote on a new document.

When the Convention was deadlocked on an issue, George met with his friend, James Madison, and convinced him that he must change his strongly held opinion on the method to elect delegates to Congress. James considered carefully what the president had told him, and did change his vote, bringing consensus to the approval of the new Constitution. You may read more about this in my book “Founding Fathers–Uncommon Heroes.”

So we have a grand U.S. Constitution because George Washington and James Madison, each listened, thought carefully about their opinions, and approved the document. What a difference listening made!