“Some Keys to Being a Better Listener” (Original version from the book)
Whether we are practicing chanoyu or some other celebration, or just want to get along better with our partner, family members, friends, or coworkers, these simple steps can improve the quality of our listening, as well as that of others:
1. “Find the right place for important conversations.” An office with loud voices and ringing phones isn’t the best atmosphere for quality communication, and neither is a living room with television or music at full volume. The first step toward good listening is to do all you can to avoid any source of noise pollution.
2. “Look your interlocutor in the eye.” With direct eye contact, we can let our interlocutor know that they matter to us and that we are completely present. However, this eye contact shouldn’t be intimidating. We should pay attention to the other person’s verbal language and make sure they feel comfortable with the amount of physical space between us. This information is valuable and will allow us to make adjustments.
3. “Turn off interfering thoughts.” As we mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, we all have a natural tendency to place filters between ourselves and those we speak to. The key is not to judge. If we limit ourselves to listening to what someone else has to say, we’ll able to absorb their whole message, and the person will feel heard. For this happen, we need to prevent our mind from wandering and maintain the discipline of being present.
4. “Ask questions without interrupting.” It’s important not to cut people off, since this can cause frustration. What they will value is being asked questions that demonstrate we are listening. These can be to find out more about what they’re telling us or just to let them know we haven’t lost track of what they’re saying. To do so, we can interject by saying things like, “So you’re saying that . . .” This kind of active listening will be a true gift to those we speak to.
5. “Don’t give unsolicited advice.” When someone share a problem, it can be difficult not to offer a solution, but what the other people need most is to be listened to, not to told what to do. If we think we have something valuable to offer regarding their situation, we can ask, “Can I give you some advice?” or offer a solution indirectly: “Of course, only you can know the right thing to do, but if I were in your position, I would . . .”
If we approach our conversation respectfully, giving them our full attention, the possibility will increase that each encounter, in addition to deepening our connections, will end up being unforgettable.
Reference:
G. Héctor and M. Francesc (2019). The Book of Ichigo Ichie. Penguin Books.