It's hard to listen to someone else over the sound of your own voice.

Once you decide what you are going to say next there is no way you are going to pay much attention to what is being said in the meantime.

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This is a technique described by Stephen Covey. He talks about how many Native Indian tribes use what is called the Talking Stick... [show more]

This is a technique described by Stephen Covey. He talks about how many Native Indian tribes use what is called the Talking Stick which is used in all meetings where the person holding the Talking Stick is the only person allowed to speak until he or she feels understood; when the possessor of the Talking Stick feels completely understood, then, and only then, is the Talking Stick passed on to the next person. This creates an incredible understanding and synergy among the team.

As a listener, it is your responsibility to understand what a speaker says. The talking stick technique means that you cannot have your say until you have repeated the speaker's message back to them so that they agree that you have the sense of what they said 100% accurate. [show less]

Breathe while they are speaking to you. Try not to breathe in to get ready to say something. Taking a breath once they are fini... [show more]

Breathe while they are speaking to you. Try not to breathe in to get ready to say something.

Taking a breath once they are finished talking, before talking yourself, will usually produce a more thoughtful and relevant response.

This is a wonderful trick that I learned as an actor and it increases your ability to listen a ton. [show less]