25 Mar Weekend Zen with David Boies

n his latest book, David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell talks about how people can sometimes use an overarching weakness to work for them, instead of against them. Biographical stories about several interesting, successful people are presented in this book. One specific and inspiring story is that of the famous American attorney, David Boies who was involved in several notable cases (for. e.g. Bush v. Gore, 2000).

One of the biggest challenges for Boies was being a dyslexic lawyer. He was unable to read until the third grade. However, this learning disability pushed him to become adept at listening. He honed his listening skills to a point where he was efficient at processing, organizing, retaining, and recollecting information – all critically important skills required to achieve effective communication in business practices.

He has risen to the top in his field, received lifetime achievement awards, and continues to argue important cases. This signifies how a combination of passion, hard work and determined focus can drive one to convert an adversity into a strength, not just to survive but to thrive.

Boies’ example also strengthens my belief in the importance of listening. It is perhaps just as under-rated as is the involuntary act of breathing. Going through the drills of everyday life and work, we often forget to take a moment to be conscious of our breathing. It is a proven fact that good breathing exercises lead to increased productivity. Similarly, as good communicators, it is imperative that we learn to listen to our clients.

by: Sohini Bhattacharya (Co-Founder & Partner, Allegoro Communications)