👂 The art of active listening
Hello! Adam Thornhill here. ‘The Podcast Guy’ saving you 10 hours a week.
Enjoy the 85th Podup with the best bits from 20VC.
We're social animals. But, we're not always easy to understand. It takes practice to learn the subtleties and nuances of what people are trying to say. Simon Sinek, the renowned leadership expert, says listening is more than just hearing words; it's about being present and making the other person feel truly heard.
How to listen effectively
You're watching tv and somebody's trying to talk to you. You repeat back everything you heard. You say 'See, I am listening to you.' No - you heard the words. Listening is making the other person feel heard.
You need to look them in the eyes, pay them attention, and be present while they talk to you. You need to be validating the things they say, not just parroting back what they said while being distracted. At the end, they will say thank you for being present. They will really appreciate it.
Simon Sinek
Why it matters
In an increasingly distracted world, active listening is a rare skill. It fosters deeper connections, builds trust, and can prevent potential conflicts. The act of being present and validating the speaker's points has the potential to drastically improve both personal and professional relationships.
Next steps
Want to take your listening skills to the next level? Here's how:
Be present. When someone's speaking to you, eliminate distractions and focus your full attention on them.
Validate. Instead of just repeating their words, affirm their feelings and thoughts. Show that you understand what they're saying.
Practice. Like any skill, active listening takes practice. Strive to be a better listener in all your interactions.
Your thoughts?
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Quotes were pulled at different points of the episode. Sentences were left out to make the narrative more concise. Podup is not associated or affiliated with any podcast.