A Word from "The Duke"

One of the most enduring and popular motion pictures actor ever was John Wayne. The Duke, as he was known by friends and fans alike, appeared in over 200 movies, a number of which film experts continue to identify as being among the best ever made. While Wayne may not have been the best actor the world has ever seen, without question he had a screen presence that few could or to this day can match. Near the end of his career and life, at a social gathering, Wayne was asked what he thought was the secret to being a good actor. His one-word response was profound. "Listening," he said.

To me, that answer demonstrated that Wayne understood acting as a form of communication, men and women up on the screen or on stage acting out lines in an effort to make audiences feel certain emotions, learn various lessons, take particular actions or simply escape from the reality of their own lives. Often, we think of actors as performers who spout various lines. Though true, that is only part of what they do. The other part is being on the receiving end of those lines and reacting in ways not only add to the story-line but also the believability of the dialog itself. Such interactions are no different in "real-life."

Ideally, people talk with each other. Lots of back and forth. Respectful talk and equally respectful listening. Such a dynamic defines effective communication. In a movie or play, of course, the listening is set as it is a matter of the actors memorizing their lines and following the guidance of their directors in how they should both say them and react to what is said. In real-world exchanges, there is little or no direction on either end. How well people listen is totally up to them. But as studies continue to show, when they do it well, people do better at work, have happier personal lives, and are better able to connect with others. To add to what Wayne said, perhaps listening is also the secret to living a more fulfilled life.