On this Valentine’s Day, if you are celebrating with a significant other, consider effective listening as a gift more valuable than chocolates or jewelry. (And that really means something, at least coming from the author of Listen Like a Lawyer.)
A few specifics that might make this day more romantic. These are inspired by some of the tweets and retweets from Listen Like a Lawyer:
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Keep your focus on your partner.
Cognitive control, being able to #focus on one thing that’s important, is essential to every step toward that larger…http://t.co/Hk83rNMyF6
— Daniel Goleman (@DanielGolemanEI) February 12, 2014
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Instead of saying “but” and then clarifying, say “yes and . . .” to keep the conversation going.
Improv workshops can help with listening and collaboration. @fastcompany: http://t.co/r5ZUayazKH
— Listen Like a Lawyer (@ListenLikeaLwyr) February 11, 2014
- When discussing a problem, don’t try to solve it too soon.
Perspective – Don’t jump in and try to solve a problem before repeatedly questioning what the real problem is. http://t.co/Vo3WJKOA1p
— Listen Like a Lawyer (@ListenLikeaLwyr) February 10, 2014
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Come into a room with the attitude of “Ah, there you are!”
There are two types of people –– those who come into a room and say, “Here I am!” and those who say, “Ah, there you are.” via @Fsonnenberg
— Frank Sonnenberg (@FSonnenberg) January 29, 2014
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No conversational “tee-ups” like “I’m just saying . . . .” Please.
Conversational “tee-ups” like “Don’t take this the wrong way…” are doomed to offend. http://t.co/EdmnQ20C6b
— Listen Like a Lawyer (@ListenLikeaLwyr) January 22, 2014
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No “screen face” when you look up from a device.
Looking up with a “screen face” can put others in a bad mood. Making This Holiday Joyful for You & Others http://t.co/nSfa27R8jy
— Listen Like a Lawyer (@ListenLikeaLwyr) November 10, 2013
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If all else fails, try gasping in agreement. Seriously.
If you’re interested in listening even just a little bit, you really need to read this by @RoyPeterClark : http://t.co/HcVVIlM3WG
— Listen Like a Lawyer (@ListenLikeaLwyr) February 11, 2014
Listen Like a Lawyer 
Entertaining and true post, Jennifer.
Sent from my iPhone Laurie Schloff Senior Coaching Partner The Speech Improvement Company 617 739 3330
[…] A rhetorical tactic for reaching less-engaged potential blog readers is through the Upworthy-style heading. I haven’t written that many headlines such as “10 Ways Your Law Career Is Being Sabotaged By Bad Listening!” or “The Secret Ingredient to Getting Clients to Love You in 60 Seconds.” But the blog has published some serious posts directly focused on listening problems such as mismatches in team communication styles, the crossover of bad listening into personal life, and issues with mobile devices and other forms of distractions. A few humorous posts have experimented with mock scare-tactics such as “Four Scary Kinds of Listeners” (a Halloween special) and “A High Intensity Listening Workout” — basically, Tabata for listening. Other forms of humor include Tami Lefko’s guest post with great TV clips on active-listening, and a compilation of listening advice for Valentine’s Day. […]