Listen So They Feel Heard
Give full attention, do not plan your reply, and show you understood before you add anything.
Experiments show good listening makes speakers less anxious and less defensive; a review supports it, though most studies are short lab sessions.
Why it works
When people feel heard they relax, think more clearly and share more. Listening well also stops you from going silent, because you have their words to work with.
How to do it
- Put the phone away and face them.
- Nod, keep eye contact, let them finish.
- Sum up what they said in one line.
- Ask a follow-up before giving your view.
What to say
So the real issue is not salary, it is the location. Is that right?
Let me check I have got it: you need someone who can run both plants?
Avoid
Waiting for a gap so you can say your point. People can tell.
Example
A Ludhiana tractor parts owner complained about three failed hires. Devendra just summed it up and asked what went wrong each time. The owner said nobody had asked him that before.
Practise it
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