Listen to Understand

• Ask people to introduce themselves. Think of commonalities among group members and highlight those when you’re making introductions.
• Ask thoughtful questions and listen carefully to how others respond. 
• Having conversation starters at the ready can make small talk more palata...

• keep emotions out of the exchange;
• discuss, don't attack;
• listen carefully and try to articulate the other position accurately;
• show respect'
• acknowledge that you understand why someone might hold that opinion;
• try to show how changing facts does not n...

A good conversation is only possible if you are really listening. Stephen Covey writes that most of us don't listen with the intent to understand; we listen to reply.

Part of the pleasure of better-quality conversations comes from being curious. If you struggle listening t...