On Listening

Listening, when done right, is a full-body activity. Meaning transforms in the light of the speaker-listener relationship, and comes alive in the interpretation by an open witness. Robert Greenleaf described listening as “an attitude toward other people and what they are trying to express” ( Servant Leadership ). In deep listening, we assert respect and acceptance of the speaker in their full spirit and humanity. Greenleaf writes that “a true natural servant automatically responds to any problem by listening first.” Listening is a key element of leadership and team development. It’s essential to bridge-building among groups of people. And it can be used in a healing relationship. Rachel Naomi Remen writes in her chapter Just Listen, that “the most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen.” Listening with presence and heart means avoiding the urge to interrupt, even to express understanding. When we interrupt, “we move the focus of attention ...