Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

March 24, 2014

If, before they are done talking, you are formulating a response, defending your position, or fixing a problem… then you are NOT listening.

Having a conversation and listening to each other are very different things.  In a conversation, we often have a goal or outcome we are working towards.  When we listen, the only goal is to understand the other person as completely as we can.  This is not easy.  It requires trust in the other person and trust of the process but the benefits are worth the challenge.

Do I truly listen to others?  What might I learn about them if I stopped and simply listened?  What benefits might come to me through listening?