listening good

I have worked in places where the leadership, or "bosses" are so puffed up they don't listen to the people under them. I have been in churches where the staff doesn't seem to listen to what the church members are wanting or not liking. I have also been in situations where people listen too much. I raced at a dragstrip where there were changes made almost every other week to the rules and the way things were done because they were listening to everyone and trying to appease everyone. So where do you draw the line? How do you decide when to listen and when to block it out?
In ministry I don't believe there is one single moment that you don't listen. There isn't an instance where you say, "oh don't bother, it's the minority group speaking again". I try my best as a pastor to listen to all parties, in all positions and not just the "majority". I have always been this way, as a worker and as a youth pastor. Seeking to meet the needs of everyone that is involved. Afterall, I would far rather have someone come to me and let me know that they are unhappy than here the murmurs or have them talk behind my back.
"The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice" (Proverbs 12:15).
In this passage there are two things going on. FIrst of all we are seeign that the way we do things always seems right to us. The difference is whether we realize when we are wrong or not. We have to listen to others, and advice to get a better view of what all is going on. We can't just sit back and thin we are always right and doing things right.
Second, we are told to listen to advice not necessarily apply it. If there is anything I have figured out in past endeavors it is that everyone wants to have their feelings validated. We all want to have a voice, and use our voice, not just to complain or to make noise, but to have it heard. Many times I have seen arguments erupt and they start because someone feels like they aren't being heard. It isn't always the case that people want to make you change, many times they just want to validate their feelings and have a voice. If you are a leader, especially in a church you have got to listen to them and let them be heard. The longer you ignore them, the more upset they become.
So listen to advice, understand that you aren't always right, and know that everyone wants their feelings validated and you must do that.
Thanks for reading and have a great July 4th weekend!