To really listen to someone is truly a sign of respect.  A philosophical thinker once said: “Listening – not imitation – may be the sincerest form of flattery.”

This type of real listening is not as simple as just being part of the conversation and allowing her to talk.  It’s about really trying to understand her  – her views, her questions, her concerns.

It’s about really listening to what is being said. With nothing else in your mind.  With real curiosity. With an open mind and no judgments. With patience.  With care.

In real listening, you allow the other person to finish her thought.  There’s no interrupting, there’s no cutting off. And yes, she may even take longer to bring out her thought.

Wait until she is finished. Then you may need a few seconds to reply. After all, you were really listening without coming up with your next line in the discussion.

That’s respect.

There are some people who instead of listening to the other person, they are already formulating what they are going to say next. That comes across to the other person. And it doesn’t feel all that good.

–> How well do you listen? Would the other person feel the same about your listening?