Explore

We’re often advised to “listen more”.  Advice like: “we have two ears, one mouth… use them in that ratio”.  It’s good advice, but not quite the right advice.

It’s possible to listen but not hear.  The only way to know you’re listening, is if you’re able to explore the ideas and information being presented, with follow-up questions and curiosity. 

Do more than “listen”:  be curious.  Listen with intent to find out more.  And if you’re speaking, and the listener goes on after without exploring your input, then you may conclude they don’t actually want to know more about your ideas.