The Art of Listening

The Art of Listening 

"We are not put on this earth for ourselves but are placed here for each other. If you are there always for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you." - Jeff Warner 

As we move from childhood through adulthood and experience the world around us, we constantly take in pieces of it and the people that impact us. Each human being grows into their unique identity in tandem with the guidance of our families, friends, communities, and the ideas and events of the world. The most important lessons often come from others, whether they teach us intentionally or we are even aware that we are absorbing meaningful lessons from our outside environment. 

At its inception, our IST Gives Back Community Outreach Program was born out of a global moment of listening. Even tiny, seemingly inconsequential, fleeting moments and interactions in our day-to-day lives can become perspective-altering teaching moments with an inquisitive approach to life. The mission of IST Gives Back remains the same after four years of work within our local and national communities. 

"We believe community is our design, people our point, serving our privilege, and generosity our norm." IST's principles of bringing value to others—whether that value is funding, food, shelter, or safety illuminates our commitment to community.   

Striving for Excellence

Employee feedback is crucial to maintaining the excellence we strive to provide with our services. As CEO and President, I welcome collaborative ideas and often necessary alternative viewpoints, listening to those who understand our products, services, and client needs at the core. Thoughtful feedback allows our managers, sales, and leadership teams the opportunity to pivot and execute necessary solutions that increase client satisfaction while bolstering long-term partnerships. 

Regarding our community outreach program, carefully listening to the needs of our partners and leaning into employee feedback has always been crucial. Whether providing essential items, raising money for under looked medical research, or volunteering our time at a local event, these efforts connect many IST employees and families, spotlighting the often-unknown personal experiences of those we work with. Each initiative we have supported came to life via the diverse passions and personal experiences of someone within our "IST Family" network. 

Creating Growth with Employee Surveying

In 2025, IST Gives Back hopes to further our impact both outside our company and within by continuing to embrace the interests and efforts of our employees.  

To accomplish this goal, our team has developed an internal employee survey seeking insight regarding employees' current or previous volunteer efforts alongside the causes and initiatives close to their hearts. Participation in this survey from our employees all over the nation allows IST Gives Back to most effectively contribute to the communities and issues that are intimate and front of mind for our communities. 

We are hoping to highlight the charities and organizations that mean the most to our IST Family! We have created a survey to spread awareness about the causes that are most important.

The Survey Questions are as follows: 

1. What Community Outreach Causes or Awareness Campaigns Are You Interested In? 
2. What Charitable Organizations Do You Support? 
3. Tell Us More About The Organization You Support! (Why You Care, How You Help Serve Their Mission) 

The Ripple Effect of Collaboration

At a leadership level, the final step of effective listening requires determining effective solutions or strategies for the needs or issues communicated to you. In 2025, IST strives to continue utilizing critical feedback to unearth solutions and services that improve our clients' workflows and bottom lines. Strategically assessing valuable insights and turning them into actionable initiatives, campaigns, or solutions is essential to success. 

Similarly, IST Gives Back intends to use the feedback we receive to connect with the causes our communities are invested in, hoping to amplify overlooked causes or volunteer efforts at a national level. We are stronger together, and true to its mission, IST Gives Back continues to work to emphasize the impact of connecting through care and compassion.