Company Blog

The Red Ponder Sign

by Adam Zack — April 8, 2026

“On listening, backsliding, and the wise man in the crosswalk.”

PONDER: TO THINK OR CONSIDER ESPECIALLY QUIETLY, SOBERLY, AND DEEPLY.

I’m constantly thinking about how hard it is to be a good listener. I kind of relate it to the person who wants to eat healthier. You do it for a while, focus and start to see results. When you have the intent to listen, conversations are clearer and more meaningful. Interaction is mutually satisfying. The weight of having to speak and anticipate what your answer should be starts to drop off. You’re feeling good about yourself and those you interact with daily, just like you are losing some pounds and feeling in shape for the first time in a long time. You’re getting to be a good listener. That’s not so hard, right? Then when you’re getting comfortable, the unexpected double cheeseburger is before you. Just one, right? You listen to the guy explain what’s in the smoothie for breakfast, then you add ice cream (because it’s so delicious). A bag of chips here, Fettuccine Alfredo instead of grilled chicken and salad. Two cookies and a Bailey’s instead of no dessert. Your good intentions, improved physique, initial success and great feelings are back the way they were not long ago. It’s the same with listening. You make that effort, see results, and then gradually (or sometimes suddenly) slip back into old habits. Becoming a Listener reverts to interrupting, finishing sentences and not hearing. It’s all about you. Again. I found myself backsliding to the land of terrible listeners recently when DW asked me to ponder something. As he was making his point I sped straight through “ponder” to “this is why I’m right”. In fact, pondering wasn’t even a blip on the radar. I barely heard the word. I sped past the red ponder sign, not even slowing for the wise man entering the crosswalk. After my non-pondered response, he calmly said “The key word here is ponder.” Think about it a minute, or many minutes. We had a good laugh about it and I pondered it all evening. Point made. Listen. It’s not that hard, it just takes commitment.