Some thoughts from one of my recent workshops…
Try to be fully present without judgment. Listen with an open mind; focus on what the person is saying, not on how you are going to respond. Remember that everyone has his or her own separate reality. What might that mean for listening?
Try listening to a discussion about a controversial subject without closing your mind or thinking about your own point of view about this subject.
Consider the possibility that there may be another way of looking at this subject.
- How does that affect your regard for the speaker?
- Does it make you feel uncomfortable to acknowledge that there may be more than one “correct” view of the subject?
- How often have you heard someone state something categorically that you know to be false?
What are your top tips for listening?