Everyone Has a Story Worth Hearing
One of the things I've enjoyed most about starting the Behind the X's & O's livestream has been getting to hear people's stories.
Not just what they do.
But why they do it.
It's amazing how quickly people become interesting once you stop trying to impress them and start trying to understand them.
Every business has a story.
Every family has a story.
Every entrepreneur has a story.
Every person sitting across the table from you has walked through something you know nothing about.
I've learned that genuine curiosity is one of the greatest forms of respect you can show another person.
When we ask thoughtful questions, we communicate that people matter.
We communicate that their experiences matter.
We communicate that their story has value.
One of the reasons I wanted to start the Behind the X's & O's livestream wasn't to interview experts.
It was to give ordinary people a place to share extraordinary stories.
I've learned that some of the best business conversations don't end with a sale.
They end with a better understanding of another human being.
Sometimes we walk away with a new idea.
Sometimes we walk away with a new friendship.
Sometimes we simply walk away reminded that we're not the only ones figuring life out one day at a time.
I've learned that one of the greatest gifts we can give another person isn't our advice.
It isn't our opinion.
It isn't even our expertise.
Sometimes it's simply our attention.
Listening without rushing.
Asking thoughtful questions.
Being genuinely interested in another person's story.
Because when people feel heard, they often become willing to share the parts of their story that matter most.
The longer we build this business, the more I realize people don't just want to be noticed.
They want to feel seen.
— Ruben Escalona
Red Alpha Custom Prints
What Healthy Actually Looks Like
Healthy businesses don't just focus on serving customers. They focus on seeing people. Every conversation is an opportunity to listen, learn, encourage, and remind someone that their story has value.
Because long after people forget what was discussed, they'll often remember how you made them feel. And one of the greatest gifts you can give another person is making them feel seen.