4. Listening

• When you listen, you learn: about your teammates and what’s important to them, ideas, stories, concerns.
• Listening sends the message that you value the other person.
• Listening helps you make good decisions: it slows you down so you can diagnose effectivel...

Listening is not hearing to respond. It’s hearing to understand. Effective listening helps you understand the other’s perspective and underlying feelings. It helps you hear what’s not said.

The ideal balance is to listen 60 percent and speak 40 percent of the time.

Try listening more than you speak. Listen to experts and fellow enthusiasts, including those with whom you disagree. Absorb their perspectives, insights, and experiences.

From listening to others, we can gather valuable insights from both their successes and their failings.