When someone claims to be a good listener, it usually means they've mastered waiting impatiently for another person to talk before entering a conversation. But that's not listening. Neither is interrupting with your own thoughts when you hear something that jogs your memory, or judging whether or not you agree or disagree with what's being said. Listening involves truly hearing what other people are saying, and once you master it, you'll enjoy more intimacy in your romantic relationships, a deeper connection with children and other family members, and better interactions with co-workers, direct reports, supervisors, and customers. In this guidebook to cultivating your listening skills, you'll get proven strategies to truly start listening to others. You'll find that if you sit quietly, don't react, and ask questions based on what the other person is saying, the world will open up to you in ways you never dreamed possible.
