Are you willing to have your mind changed?
If only we listened with the intent to just listen. Unfortunately, we have been hard-wired with the intent to reply – which doesn’t make us that effective at listening at all.
Neuroscience tells us we speak at an average of 125 words per minute, listen at 400 words per minute and think at 900 words per minute.
If so, how do we master the art of quietening our mind to truly listen to someone?
True listening starts with the willingness to have our mind changed – not to be ‘right’ or perceived as the smartest in the room.
When we open up our mindset and invite others’ opinions, perceptions and experiences we are truly creating a learning environment for us and those around us, whilst simultaneously demonstrating empathy and respect.
Surely the world would benefit from more learning environments and less opinion-based environments.
So, let’s all demonstrate empathy, respect and promote learning environments by learning the art of really listening.
Contributed with thanks to Judy Porter from Shiift
