Sometimes It Helps to Talk Less and Listen More

Sometimes It Helps to Talk Less and Listen More

A conversation doesn’t have to be led by the person who talks the most. Find out how to get started, ask questions and listen while managing your time more effectively.

It’s a strange feeling: we want others to understand us, so sometimes we explain more and more. Yet a conversation can move forward when we pause, ask a question and really listen to the answer. On the blog, you’ll find exercises to help you communicate more mindfully, along with tips for planning your time. They’ll help you try new approaches without having to change who you are.

Interested in this topic? Read more: Conversations that change our time: Take control of your time and career through the conversations you initiate. Want to find out where you stand personally? Take a short test at the end of the page and gain a better understanding.

How does this apply to you? Choose the answers that describe you best:

Imagine that you have to tell someone an unpleasant truth. What will you do first?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

Someone tells you, "We need to talk." What is the first thing that crosses your mind?

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When someone does not respond honestly but "strategically," what do you think of them?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

If someone asked you a question that really gets under your skin, how would you react?

Choose the answer that best describes you.

What conversation would you prefer to never have to have?

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What most often prevents you from starting an important conversation?

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What do you do when someone starts crying during a conversation?

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When was the last time you said something that changed a relationship?

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What does it really mean to you to "talk" to someone?

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Who would you have (or want to) a conversation with that hasn't taken place yet?

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Some conversations change everything. But some we have to start ourselves.

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