Questions Over Answers

My advice: give less advice!

Lightning bolt captured on 120mm film

As an actor one thing we speak about regularly is the importance of listening. Often, the best actors we know and love are actually the best listeners - it’s what they do when they are not talking which is the mark of their craft. “Listen with your blood” is an often used phrase by acting teachers trying to encourage their students to tap into this place of heightened listening (we are a dramatic bunch, after all).

As I progress through my life and career and add other identities for myself into the mix, I’m interested in how all of my various pursuits intersect and add value to one another. My most recent identity is stepping into the world of coaching, and what I can already tell about this craft is that listening is one of if not the most important skill for me to develop.

The trouble is, listening can be so bloody hard sometimes. Whilst acting, coaching or even in a simple conversation, the seemingly simple task of listening to another person i…