What’s Your Listening Style?

Knowing your style can help you build relationships, understand others, and collaborate more effectively.

by

and

Laura K. Rock

by

and

Laura K. Rock

May 31, 2022

ThomasVogel/Getty Images

Summary.

We may have learned that we need to let people speak without interrupting but taking turns talking does not truly denote listening. And unintentionally hijacking conversations to advise, inject humor, empathize, prioritize efficiency, or insert ourselves into the speaker’s narrative is often done with good intentions, but may instead disrupt the human connection we think we’re forging. Recognizing when to shift out of our habitual styles and consciously apply alternative styles of listening and responding may allow for more effective and meaningful interactions.

A good manager knows that listening is important, but too few people know how to listen well. Even common techniques, like “active listening” can be counterproductive. After all, merely sharing the amount of speaking time, or parroting back what a speaker said, does not achieve understanding.

RM

Rebecca D. Minehart, MD, MSHPEd, is an obstetric anesthesiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, an Assistant Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School, and the Program Director for the MGH Obstetric Anesthesia Fellowship.
BS

Benjamin B. Symon, MBBS, is a Simulation Consultant at Queensland Children’s Hospital and a Pediatric Emergency Physician at the Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane QLD. He is faculty for the Debriefing Academy and co-producer of the healthcare simulation podcast Simulcast.
LR

Laura K. Rock, MD, is a pulmonologist and critical care physician at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts and an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. She is also faculty for the Center for Medical Simulation and is trained as a VitalTalk instructor. She runs communication training programs to promote more effective conversations and teamwork.

What’s Your Listening Style?

Partner Center

Explore HBR

HBR Store

About HBR

Manage My Account

Follow HBR