Think about a difficult conversation you had in the past week.

And one from a couple of weeks ago.

One from last month?

A few from the past year.

Question: Did you feel totally listened to by the other person?

Think about what that tells you about the importance of listening.

Another question: Did it seem to you like you listened to them?

Pause.

Scarier question: If you had felt totally listened to, how might that have changed the situation?

What does that tell you about the importance of listening?

See why listening is the Third Pillar of a peaceful resolution?

Hyuh.

Comments: So, you could answer those questions in the comments. Or: how do you feel about listening? Anything you’ve learned about listening? Are there situations where you listen well? Other situations not so much?

(c) Be nice.

Related posts:

1. Emotional fluency – the first pillar
2. Deliberate uncertainty – the second pillar
3. A purpose for anger