Listening better: a skill you can train

When others don't feel heard: signs, questions to reflect on, and how coaching practises active listening in real situations.

Life online

While others are talking, your mind is already on your answer or somewhere else entirely. People then don't feel heard, and misunderstandings pile up.

How it can show up

You interrupt others because you don't want to lose your thought.
After a conversation you hardly remember what the other person said.
You give advice quickly before you have understood what it is about.
Others tell you that you don't really listen.

Questions for you

There are no right answers. Take the question that stays with you.

With whom do you feel truly heard, and what does that person do differently?
What happens inside you while others are talking?
Which question could you ask before you answer?
In which conversation this week do you want to consciously listen first?

Where coaching can help

Listening can be trained. In coaching we practise asking follow-up questions, summarising and staying with pauses, at work, in the family and in relationships.

When other help fits better

If listening is made hard mainly by strong restlessness or concentration problems in every area of life, have it checked by a doctor.

If it is too much right now

Coaching is not psychotherapy and not a crisis service. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact the emergency services where you are right away, or a crisis service near you.

Want to talk it through?

In a free 20-minute intro call we look at whether coaching is the right way to work on this for you. If it is not, I will tell you so.

Book an intro call