This talk, “Active Listening For Better Connections,” by Keriogo Odudare, reveals a quiet superpower most people ignore—yet it can transform relationships and careers and even save lives.We live in a noisy world. Everyone's talking. But who’s really listening?In this heartfelt and eye-opening talk, Keriogo shares personal stories, a painful lesson from a fractured friendship, and a near-missed medical diagnosis to highlight the urgency and beauty of truly hearing others. With wisdom beyond her years, she challenges our habits of passive hearing and quick replies and instead invites us to embrace intentional, empathetic listening—a skill that fosters trust, builds connection, and deepens understanding.What if you’ve been talking past people all along? What if the real key to influence, impact, and healing isn’t in what you say—but in how well you listen?Ready to learn the art that could change how you lead, love, and live?Watch this talk. Your ears—and your relationships—will thank you. Keriogo is a focused, principled, and compassionate 13-year-old Year 9 learner whose leadership is rooted in empathy and excellence. A two-time Class Prefect, she has consistently ranked top of her class and was named Overall Best Student in Years 4 and 8. Keriogo is a gifted communicator and a bright scholar, winning several competitions including the 2024 Spelling Bee and the Mathematics Challenge. Her TEDx talk, “Active Listening: Listening to Understand and not to Reply,” invites others to embrace deeper, more meaningful human connections. Outside the classroom, she enjoys music and reading, and she dreams of becoming a computer scientist, combining her intellect with a heart for people. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx