Developing Your Discernment

Fred Smith asked the musicians of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra to name the most effective conductor. The conductor they named won hands down. They were asked why he was chosen and the answer was, “He could anticipate when you were about to make a mistake and keep you from making it.” He had discernment. Smith says that he has known many excellent leaders who were not given the gift of discernment. They could not read people. They depended on management skills and organization. Those that are blessed with some discernment could develop significant sensitivity and intuition. Smith’s thought is “If I could read my people correctly, I could make the most of their productivity and minimize their mistakes.” Smith writes, “Words are the windows to the mind.” In using discernment, first, you have to make sure you understand the meaning of words, both dictionary and colloquial. Slang is part of colloquial listening. Second, you must listen to the selection of words. Word choice discloses several things, including a person’s reasoning ability, his prejudices and desire to impress. The use of words and accents also gives a glimpse into someone’s past. People can have a public vocabulary different from their private. Sometimes they let a private word slip into the public expression, and that opens a window into the person’s thought process. Also it is important to notice the manipulation of words. You must be able to hear what they don’t say and listen for the tone, pace and rhythm. www.christianitytoday.com/global/printer.html?/le/1999/spring/912086.html