PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION WITH NKECHI

 “Wisdom is not in talking plenty, but in hearing well.” Most people believe they are good communicators because they talk often. Very few ask a harder question: Do I listen well enough to understand, or only to respond? Love does not break down because people stop talking. It breaks down because people stop listening with intent. Listening is not passive. It is an active skill. And in love, it is one of the most demanding skills to master. Why Talking Feels Easier Than Listening Talking gives a sense of control. You get to shape the narrative, defend your position, and assert your needs.  Listening, on the other hand, requires restraint. It requires curiosity. It requires setting aside your ego long enough to enter another person’s inner world. Many of us were raised in environments where listening was selective. Children were told to listen, but adults were rarely modelled listening. Conversations were hierarchical, not mutual. So we grew up knowing how to speak,...

Have you ever been caught in the middle of a heated argument—maybe between colleagues, students, or even family members—and thought, “Why can’t they just see each other’s point?” Or maybe you’ve been in a conflict yourself and later wondered if you could have handled things better. The truth is, conflict is not always a bad thing. It can reveal hidden issues, spark honest conversations, and even strengthen relationships—if we manage it well. But that’s the key: managing it well. So, what does it really take to handle conflict without losing your cool or damaging relationships? And what skills do we need to develop to get better at this? I spoke with three teachers who deal with conflict almost daily, and they shared some wisdom we can all learn from. Conflict Through the Eyes of Three Teachers Mrs. Gloria Ijeoma – Senior Secondary School English Teacher > “Conflict is not something I run away from anymore. Early in my career, I would get anxious whenever two students arg...