Striving Towards Excellence

-Karthik Gurumurthy

From my perspective, the foundation of all meaningful relationships—whether with my spouse, children, friends, or colleagues—lies in my ability to truly listen. I’ve come to understand that genuine listening requires significant emotional strength on my part.

When I reflect on my most successful relationships, I realize they flourished when I practiced patience, maintained openness, and genuinely desired to understand the other person. These aren’t casual skills but highly developed qualities of character that I’ve had to consciously cultivate.

‘ve noticed how often I fall into the trap of operating from a place of low emotional investment while simultaneously offering what I think is high-level advice. The irony isn’t lost on me—it’s far easier to dispense wisdom than to engage in the emotionally demanding work of authentic listening.

The times when I’ve set aside my own agenda, quieted my internal dialogue, and fully attended to someone else’s perspective have led to my deepest connections. This kind of listening transforms not just my relationships but my understanding of myself as well.