Listening is not waiting to talk

Real listening requires suppressing the part of your brain that's already formulating a response. Most conversations are two monologues taking turns. The listener is rehearsing, not receiving. You can feel the difference — when someone is genuinely listening, you say things you didn't plan to say. When they're waiting, you perform.

Practice

In your next conversation, try this: after the other person finishes speaking, pause for two full seconds before you respond. Don't plan your response while they talk. Let the silence hold.

Question

In your most important relationship, who does more of the listening?

Listening is not waiting to talk

Practice

Question

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