Starting to share my learnings and explore thoughts has been on my mind for a longer while, but priorities shifted with my two small kids. Now, with my oldest turning 4, I'm carving out time to pursue my passion for writing and knowledge sharing.
The Importance of Listening
Over the past years, I've noticed a decline in the art of listening. In our fast-paced world, good communication skills are increasingly rare, with focus often on talking rather than truly hearing each other.
As a UX Researcher spending a lot of time processing interviews, I've become aware of the power of deep listening. With a background in psychology, I aim to explore this art in a practical and tangible way, informed by both my professional and educational experiences.
Why Mastering Listening Matters
Here's how deep listening can give you an edge in various aspects of life:
Product Superpower: Gain a deeper understanding of user needs, avoiding the pitfall of building features no one really wants.
Communication Champion: Build smoother internal communication, leading to better collaboration and decision-making.
Career Booster: Develop the trust, empathy, and leadership qualities that get you noticed.
Better Friend: Strengthen relationships by truly understanding and connecting with those around you.
The Challenges (and Some Psychology)
Listening well isn't always easy. Our brains are naturally a bit self-centered, making us prone to interrupting or formulating responses before the other person finishes speaking. Here's why:
Short Attention Spans: Information overload makes it harder to focus on one person for extended periods.
The Advice Monster: We often jump into "fix-it" mode when we hear a problem, missing the chance to fully understand the speaker's experience.
Internal Noise: Our anxieties, biases, and experiences can influence how we interpret what someone says.
Listening is a Learnable Skill!
Next week, I'll share practical tips and tricks to overcome these barriers. For now, start observing your own listening habits. Do you find yourself interrupting? Easily distracted?
If this resonates with you, I'd love for you to subscribe to this newsletter! Reply to this email with a listening challenge you face (at work or in life), and let's learn from each other's experiences.
See you next week!
Stefan