Listen Like You Mean It

Avoid Surface listening

• Avoid offering advice until asked for

• Avoid interrupting partner

• Avoid injecting questions that involve you

• Avoid Passing judgements

• Avoid Giving half hearted answer

• Try to understand meaning behind the point made

• Ensure you are fully aware when listening

• Asking Too many questions

• Avoid linking their experience to yours

• Avoid over explanation

• Avoid assumptions

• Avoid expecting agreements

Approach

• Such Sessions with Empathy, Curiosity and Humility

• Always ask how other person think, feel or believe

• Conversations with intent to focus

• Ask connecting questions

• Summarize and Ask for Validation

• Aim for mutual understanding

Watch

• Yours and Others Energy Levels

• Your and Others Tone

• Mental Sharpness

Propose

• To Reschedule, if you or other are not physically and mentally available

Handling Urge And Silence

• Stay silent and count till 10 before saying something

Exiting Conversations

• Time box your conversation e.g. quick headsup, I have another meeting after this

• Ask for timeout, only to those who won't mind

Recover

• There is such a thing called listeners drain

• Schedule quiet hours to relax and recharge