Challenge Tips

Day 4 — Listen to Understand

In moments of conflict, many people listen with their reply ready, rather than trying to truly hear the other person. In fact, most people only remember 20% to 50% of what they hear! This can make tension worse and leave both sides feeling misunderstood.

Active listening, where you seek to understand without judgment, can build trust, reduce defensiveness, and show the other person you value their perspective.

Your Action for Today

Practice active listening to create trust and diffuse tension. Here’s how:

• Pay full attention: While the other person speaks, put aside your thoughts and feelings and just hear them out. Listen to every word.
• Repeat their thoughts in your own words: Ensure you understood what was said by paraphrasing it and asking for confirmation.
• Ask questions: Use open-ended questions to get clarification or gain deeper understanding.
• Avoid interruption: Demonstrate your respect and willingness to hear the other person’s side by allowing them to speak without interrupting.
• Stay open and receptive: Give the other person a safe space to express their feelings without judgment. Be open to what they say and assume a positive intent (see Day 2).

Mastering active listening during conflict will help you more accurately hear the other person and keep the door open to solutions that work for everyone.

Join us on day 5: A sneak peek - Dig deeper to root out the reason for conflicts.

Missed day 3? Catch up here.