Supportive Listening

[paul]

Think about the last time that someone was really present to you when you spoke. They were really with you, caring about what you said. Wasn't it great?

That kind of listening can be more common, and one way to do that is to be conscious of brining full presence to listening. Here's an example.

Just today I was visiting a good friend and while she was tidying in the kitchen, asking her how things are going. I was within arms reach of a laptop (danger!) and I was about to visit the New York Times website while listening to what she had to say.

But then it hit me--wait a second, this is important! I really do want to hear what she has to say--and if I'm half reading the news, I can't be there. And so I closed the laptop, turned around, and gave my presence to what she had to say.

I'm convinced that because of that, she said more, and we had more meaningful connection.

And so for this focus point, I'd like to invite you to pay special attention to giving your full listening presence when someone is talking to you. And if you're not able to give them that full presence, consciously deciding if that's appropriate, or if it's better to talk at a later time when you can be more present.

I'm wondering--what most commonly gets in the way of your listening presence?

Paul.
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Paul Konasewich
http://supportivelistening.org