Self-awareness is so key to our listening practices. We all have personal blockers to staying present and empathetic in conversation. However, when we get to know ourselves, we can more easily be there for others, writes Ximena Vengoechea.
No matter the question you ask, remember that silence is your friend.” – Ximena Vengoechea
Source: Next Big Idea Club, June 11, 2021. Link. Vengoechea shares 5 key insights from her new book, Listen Like You Mean It: Reclaiming the Lost Art of True Connection:
- Most of us are not really listening
- Conversations contain hidden needs
- Each of us has a particular filter we tend to listen through. Sometimes it’s the perfect fit, but sometimes it’s not.
- Asking the right questions can deepen a conversation.
- Empathetic listening requires self-awareness.
INSIGHTS: This article conjures up old phrases:
- Two ears, one mouth . . . any questions?
- Don’t dump all your dumb at once.
- . . then use a pregnant silence. Stay out of your own way!
- The wisdom is in the questions.
- The word LISTEN has the same letters as the word SILENT