Boundaries Article May 2025
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Two Ears and One Mouth: Use Them in That Order
As we wrap a successful Mid-Year Meeting in San Diego, I’m reminded of the value of strong leadership and even stronger listening. ARELLO’s momentum continues because we create space for meaningful conversation, even when those conversations are complex — or sometimes, a little contentious.
Private Listing Networks (PLNs) have rapidly moved to the forefront of industry debate, touching on sensitive issues of market access, consumer choice, and regulatory oversight. At our Mid-Year Meeting, we heard a wide range of perspectives. Some viewpoints were more constructive than others. While a few speakers challenged the room with disjointed or controversial takes that didn’t necessarily resonate with regulatory professionals, others — like Summer Goralik — provided thoughtful, pragmatic insight. (Summer’s recent Inman article here is a great follow-up read.)
At ARELLO, we recognize that our role is not to jump into the fray prematurely, but to listen carefully and present the full spectrum of issues for your consideration. State regulatory bodies are, by design, complaint-driven. But in rapidly changing areas like PLNs, it’s not just about reacting to complaints — it’s about watching how these models evolve, how consumer interests are affected, and when (or if) intervention becomes necessary.
The principle of “two ears and one mouth” has never been more relevant. Listening first — listening twice as much as speaking — equips us to lead wisely when the time for action comes. It also reflects the respect we have for the complexity of the work regulators do every day.
As these market shifts continue to unfold, ARELLO will stay focused on bringing forward reliable information, elevating well-reasoned voices, and ensuring that regulators have the tools, conversations, and support they need to make informed, deliberate decisions.
Until next time,
Jessica Hickok, RCE, CAE
ARELLO® Chief Executive Officer
