Laid-Back Listening

LAID-BACK LISTENING

Are you listening?

What kind of listener are you? To listen is to learn, unless you're a know-it-all. Then you think everyone should listen to you.

That's rather a one-sided approach to life. I much prefer to be with people who like the give and take of a good conversation.

I heard Brian Grazer, award-winning producer and best-selling author, say the other day that "curiosity is generosity." He felt that asking a person questions shows you are open to communication with them.

Let's really talk!

Questions are a good way to toss the conversational ball. The problem is that some people only catch and don't toss back. Have you ever asked several questions and only received one-syllable answers?

I got tired of that, so I tried to learn how to ask open-ended questions that could not be answered yes or no. I noticed some improvement, but learned something else. Some people are not interested in conversation, so don't push---let it go.

Learning can be done in several formats. Reading, for example, or experiencing things by making or doing something. Observation is another great learning tool.

But what if a person can't read? What if they are confined to a hospital bed because of illness? What if they are blind and unable to observe things? People who care can open a world of communication by being laid-back listeners.

To be laid back means to be relaxed. Conversation is easy-going, not forced or frenzied. Laid-back listeners are learners.

What kind of listener am I?

The Message says, "Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights" (Proverbs 18:15). Intelligent people are open-minded and consider conversation with all people an asset.

What kind of listener are you? A caring one? A careless one? Practice being a laid-back listener and you might be surprised at the things you learn.