In this episode, we look at the superpower of listening. We spend an average of 40% of our total waking time listening. Yet we rarely consider how we can improve our listening.

The battle for our attention is only becoming more difficult in the modern world, and listening offers us a way to regain this control.

Emily Kasriel's 8-Step Process;

1 - CREATING SPACE

• This is about making time and the right environment for listening - especially in tough conversations or discussions.

2 - LISTENING TO YOURSELF

• We all carry our own baggage. And sometimes, before we can really listen to other people, we need to sit with ourselves, until our own minds can be quiet enough.

3 - BEING PRESENT

• This is about not being distracted by the many other things happening in life. This is arguably the hardest one here. Because presence isn't something you can force. Life can be really busy and hectic. And sometimes it's really difficult to not be overwhelmed. And then we're not necessarily in the right place to deeply listen to others.

4 - BEING CURIOUS

• Curiosity means that you're eager to really understand someone. And being understood is such a valuable thing.

5 - HOLDING THE GAZE

• Eye contact also helps people feel seen - quite literally... And it also conveys emotional availability.

6 - HOLDING THE SILENCE

• Silence lets the speaker process things in the space it creates. You can reflect on feelings, and have more meaningful responses.

7 - REFLECTING BACK

• This builds on the part about being curious. Because reflecting back is about understanding.

8 - GOING DEEPER

• Final step: is to really understand what's beyond the surface level, and take the experience to a new level.

https://www.emilykasriel.com/ For more info on Emily and her work - please visit her website, and I highly recommend checking out her book, Deep Listening.

Listen to the full episode to learn more!