EKAITZ SAIES

There is a Māori saying that goes: “The first stage of learning is silence, the second is listening.”

In a world that feels increasingly loud—where the pace is relentless and attention is a scarce commodity—silence has become a rare luxury. And with the absence of silence, genuine listening becomes all the more difficult.

Yet, learning to listen is fundamental. Not just in a professional setting, but in every sphere of our lives—socially, emotionally, personally. It is the bedrock of empathy, understanding, and meaningful connection.

We are living through unprecedented times. A constant stream of noise—digital, social, emotional—makes it harder than ever to pause, reflect, and truly hear what others are saying. Or what we ourselves are thinking.

We need to make room for silence. To actively listen. Only then can we begin to understand, grow, and move forward with intention.

Silence is not absence—it’s presence.

Listening is not waiting to speak—it’s the choice to learn.