Why Talking and Listening Matter So Much
I believe one of the most important skills quietly slipping away from us is the ability to truly communicate with one another—and just as importantly, the ability to listen.
There are plenty of reasons we could point to. Technology is an obvious one. We spend much of our day with our heads buried in phones, computers, and tablets, speaking to each other in shorthand through texts and emails. We communicate quickly, but not always clearly. Often, we don’t communicate deeply at all.
Work has changed too. Many people now operate within the confines of their homes rather than gathering in offices. I never thought I would say this, but I sometimes miss those meetings around a conference table with bad coffee and stale donuts. There was something valuable about sitting across from someone, reading body language, hearing tone, and having space for real conversation.
I’ll even speculate that part of the issue is the growing sophistication of algorithms and the rise of “influencers.” A quick search tells me an influencer can earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over a million dollars for a single post. Think about that for a moment. If someone is being paid to tell us what to think, what to buy, or how to react, why would we feel the need to think for ourselves—or talk things through with someone we trust?
Unfortunately, I don’t believe this trend is slowing down. I’ve read more than a few articles suggesting that artificial intelligence may soon become a primary companion—not just for adults, but for children as well. While AI can be a powerful tool, it can’t replace human judgment, experience, or empathy. And it certainly can’t replace a meaningful conversation.
When you combine all of this with what we’re seeing in our country and around the world—groups and institutions pushing information with little regard for context or consequence—it’s no surprise that people feel anxious, confused, or overwhelmed. Much of what is communicated today seems designed less to inform and more to provoke a reaction.
In financial services, we see the real-world effects of this every day. It’s long been understood in business that people are far more motivated to avoid loss than to pursue opportunity. A perfect example is the client who calls us after seeing a headline or hearing a news segment and wants to get out of the market immediately. Those calls happen regularly. What almost never happens is a call asking to invest more because they sense opportunity. In both cases, a call to us usually helps us to clarify for you if this is a good or bad idea.
That imbalance doesn’t come from poor intentions. It comes from fear, uncertainty, and a lack of thoughtful communication with someone.
One of the worst shifts I’ve seen over my career—and this may not be a popular opinion—was when financial companies began allowing people to move money instantly within their accounts with little friction or guidance. I understand why it happened. It reduced costs and liability for firms. But when my team managed large group retirement plans, we saw firsthand how damaging this could be. Emotional, reactive decisions made in isolation often led to outcomes people later regretted.
At Stein Financial Group, we’ve chosen a different path.
We don’t apologize for what some might call “overcommunication.” We believe that more information—delivered clearly, thoughtfully, and in context—leads to better understanding and better decisions. That’s why we answer our phones when you call. That’s why we work so hard to know who you are, what matters to you, and what keeps you up at night. Financial guidance should never be generic. It should be personal.
After 40 years in this business, I’ve learned that listening is just as important as speaking. Sometimes the most valuable thing we can do for a client is slow the conversation down, ask better questions, and help separate signal from noise.
As Pico Iyer so perfectly said, “In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention.”
If the headlines, world events, or political environment have you feeling uncertain about your financial future, don’t carry that weight alone. Reach out. Have a conversation. Let’s talk things through—clearly, calmly, and with your long-term goals in mind.
That’s not just how we do business. It’s who we are.
In this difficult time, let's remember:
We don’t expect certainty. We expect care, honesty, and attention.
That truth holds whether you’re talking about family, community, or finances.
Wishing us all a better tomorrow,
Jeff
