What America Must Do: Lend Them Your Ear

What requires the least effort and reaps the biggest returns? The simple act of listening.

By Newt Gingrich

October 9, 2009, 3:07 PM

Few deeds are as simple and effective as the act of listening. But for the past seven years, people around the world have become convinced that the United States is unwilling to make even this small gesture. Their conviction has consequently hurt our ability to lead. We must not forget that successful leadership on the world stage, just as in one's own home, depends upon the shared belief that all views are at least heard. The highest priority for the next U.S. president must be to persuade our friends and foes alike that the United States does indeed hear them.

Few deeds are as simple and effective as the act of listening. But for the past seven years, people around the world have become convinced that the United States is unwilling to make even this small gesture. Their conviction has consequently hurt our ability to lead. We must not forget that successful leadership on the world stage, just as in one’s own home, depends upon the shared belief that all views are at least heard. The highest priority for the next U.S. president must be to persuade our friends and foes alike that the United States does indeed hear them.

As soon as the new president is elected, he or she should immediately embark on a series of pre-inauguration visits to capitals around the world: not just London, Paris, and Jerusalem, but Ankara, Amman, Beijing, and Cairo. In the span of several weeks, the president should make dozens of stops in Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia. During these visits, not one moment needs to be spent trying to prove or demonstrate American power and dominance. Instead, the president-elect should simply listen. There should be no formal agenda, only questions. How do these other leaders think the United States can be most effective with its economic, military, and cultural might? And in turn, how do they propose to help achieve mutual goals during the next four years?

Listening does not mean obeying, or even agreeing. Trust begins not with agreement, but with mutual respect, which comes from an appreciation and understanding of the other person’s point of view. There is no obligation to accept or act upon the advice that is offered. The sole obligation is to understand the other side’s perspective.

This simple exercise of asking for advice and listening carefully and sympathetically will, in almost every part of the world, lead to dramatically improved relations and perceptions. If successful, this listening tour will enable the United States to build far more effective coalitions with our allies and further our strategic goals.

Our ultimate ends remain unchanged. But process and style matter. If the next president can reverse the perception that American power is deaf to the appeals of the world, the United States will once again be encouraged and expected to lead.

Newt Gingrich was a Republican candidate for president of the United States and is the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. John A. McCallum is managing partner of JAM Capital Partners and former policy advisor to the speaker.