A DECADE+ OF STORYTELLING POWERED BY THE BEST WRITERS ON THE PLANET

BE PART OF THE LEGACY

TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

This FINAL encore experience will be unlike any other. Because like everything we do, it's been "reimagined" from beginning to end. It's not a virtual or hybrid event. It's not a conference. It's not a seminar, a workshop, a meeting, or a symposium. And it's not your typical run-of-the-mill everyday event crammed with stages, keynote speeches, team-building exercises, PowerPoint presentations, and all the other conventional humdrum. Because it's up close & personal by design. Where conversation trumps presentation. And where authentic connection runs deep.

Listening – Or Just Hearing?

So Colin, what do you do?

I am known as The Listener.

The Listener?  What does that mean?

When was the last time you felt really heard?

Oh come on, we all know how to listen.

Do we?

Sure, I am listening now?

Are you?  Or are you just hearing me?

What do you mean?

You intuitively know when someone is not listening, you can feel it.  How many times are you in a conversation with someone, and you are looking at someone or something else, be that the person walking past, your mobile, the advert on the hoarding, the car passing, your watch, the television?  Also, what else are you hearing, the conversation next to you, the people at the bar, the strangers walking past, or listening to what is going on inside your head, I wonder if the trains are running on time yet, I really do need to get to the gym tomorrow, why didn’t she call me back, when will my Client say yes to that proposal……sorry what were you saying?  You see what I mean?

Goodness, so listening is very different to hearing.  So what tips would you offer for listening better?

Real listening, like much of life, is a paradox.  Real listening is active, yet it looks like you are doing nothing, hearing is passive yet it looks like you are doing a lot. 

So my tips are very simple, face the person you are speaking to, look them in the eye and maintain eye contact, even when they look away to think.  Be fully present with them, after all, if they are not the most important person for you at that moment, why are you even there?  Do not interrupt, allow them to speak uninterrupted, allow there to be silence, and when you think they have finished speaking or the silence is too long, allow that silence to remain a little longer.

Wow, so will this make a difference to my relationships?

Definitely, your colleagues at work, your loved ones, and especially your children.

I am most grateful for the love, guidance, and skill of Francesca Cassini of Roar Radio in creating this and my other videos.

Colin D. Smith
Colin D. Smithhttps://dexteritysolutions.co.uk/
COLIN is ‘The Listener’, a listening skills specialist and the ‘go-to’ person for individuals and teams who want to be heard, think for themselves, and transform their business and personal relationships through active listening. Colin has that innate ability to actively listen to people. He works with management, project and creative teams, facilitating the development and improvement of their listening and thinking skills. Thereby equipping them to more effectively meet their business, relationship and service challenges. He also works privately with individuals, enabling them to feel heard and valued, to think more clearly for themselves, articulate their creative ideas, address their personal concerns, and achieve their personal and professional goals. Colin has had a varied and successful career in consultancy, business development, IT and customer support, across many sectors, including finance, motor, retail and the NHS. In looking back he realises that much of his success was due to his listening and connecting abilities. His inquisitive and curious mind also enables him to explore, with others, unusual, thought-provoking, yet grounded, observations and alternative approaches to business, people, systems, and change. To make things happen, and to take ideas and thinking further, he connects his Clients with his trusted network of entrepreneurs, consultants, thought leaders, free thinkers, coaches and change makers.

DO YOU HAVE THE "WRITE" STUFF? If you’re ready to share your wisdom of experience, we’re ready to share it with our massive global audience – by giving you the opportunity to become a published Contributor on our award-winning Site with (your own byline). And who knows? – it may be your first step in discovering your “hidden Hemmingway”. LEARN MORE HERE


RECIPIENT OF THE 2024 "MOST COMPREHENSIVE LIFE & CULTURE MULTIMEDIA DIGEST" AWARD

WE ARE NOW FEATURED ON

EXPLORE 360° NATION

ENJOY OUR FREE EVENTS

OUR COMMUNITIES