When Hearing Becomes Listening - Episode 15

Deep listening requires an open mind because the ultimate purpose behind listening is to gain a new understanding and new perspective even when we think we already know something. The problem is that suspending judgment and personal understanding, which is the quintessential element of listening for understanding, is rather uncomfortable. So we normally make a quick judgment to remove those feelings. Then, unfortunately, we tend to cling to that judgment because of the negative emotions and anxiety linked to rejecting one’s prior understandings or being wrong.