10/16/2026
Are you listening to understand, or listening to respond?
There’s a difference.
When you’re listening to respond, you’re often preparing your defense before the other person has even finished speaking.
When you’re listening to understand, you’re making an effort to hear their perspective, even when you disagree.
That doesn’t mean you have to accept everything they’re saying.
It means you’re giving yourself an opportunity to understand the situation before deciding how to respond.
Here’s a practical exercise:
The next time you’re having a difficult conversation, try summarizing what you heard before giving your opinion.
You might be surprised how much that one adjustment changes the conversation.
Effective communication isn’t just about expressing yourself. It’s also about understanding others.
You Can Help How You Feel.