Listening
a mental voice saying, “Hurry up and finish talking so I can tell you what I think”—which interferes with tranquil, attentive listening.
Jan Chozen Bays MD • How to Train a Wild Elephant
So, someone who listens obviously has many advantages that others do not have, among them: being able to discriminate between what someone says and what he or she really means; being able to absorb necessary information in making decisions; being able to act and interact in a positive and empowering way with others. In all my years as an active
... See moreDavid Falkner • Russell Rules: 11 Lessons on Leadership from the Twentieth Century's Greatest Winner
We cannot do other things and listen at the same time.
Nancy Kline • More Time to Think: The power of independent thinking
Sometimes we block the flow of information being offered and compromise true listening. Our critical mind may kick in, taking note of what we agree with and what we don’t, or what we like and dislike. We may look for reasons to distrust the speaker or make them wrong. Formulating an opinion is not listening. Neither is preparing a response, or
... See moreRick Rubin • The Creative Act: A Way of Being
Being a good listener is one of the most important and enchanting life skills anyone can have. Yet few of us know how to do it, not because we are evil but because no one has taught us how and – a related point – few have listened sufficiently well to us. So we come to social life greedy to speak rather than listen, hungry to meet others but
... See moreAlain De Botton • The School of Life: An Emotional Education
The best leaders are great listeners. They listen carefully to what other people have to say, how they feel, and what they want, value, and dream about.
James M. Kouzes • The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations (J-B Leadership Challenge: Kouzes/Posner)
"Most of the successful people I've known are the ones who do more listening than talking." - Bernard Baruch
Many communicators try to make themselves look smart. Great listeners are more interested in making their audiences feel smart. They help people approach their own views with more humility, doubt, and curiosity. When people have a chance to express themselves out loud, they often discover new thoughts. As the writer E. M. Forster put it, “How can I
... See more“You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time.”— M. Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Traveled