Communication and Listening

Do not speak without listening.

Do not attack people; critique ideas.

Understand what drives the people you are speaking with.

Listening is the process of hearing or receiving a message, and understanding not just what is being communicated, but the underlying context, or the complete message that is being communicated. Listening is a foundational skill for coaching and mentoring.

Listening isn't just about the physical act of listening.

The Five-Second Rule

A important tool for communication is the five-second rule. It is the simple use of deliberate breaks to take time to think before responding or reacting. It doesn't have to be exactly 5 seconds, but taking a deliberate break allows you to focus on the people. Use this time to try and understand not just what people are saying but why.

This is especially important when you are dealing with conversations that are going off-track,

Pausing is also important in conversation to give the other participants time to think and reflect.