Pssst! Listen more actively!
Image: Unsplash
We talk a lot and hear little. That's where the problem begins.
Everything around us feels more hectic lately. Katharina Krentz and I are having more and more casual conversations.
I'm currently practicing conscious listening.
It's not easy for me.
As a creative free spirit, ideas flow from my mind as soon as something triggers me.
Maybe it's also due to the constant rollercoaster of our startup.
A gift. And sometimes a curse.
First understand, then react.
I'm working on it.
Why active listening matters
Active listening is an art that not many people master.
One thing is clear to me: When people feel heard, a door opens. Decisions become easier. Conflicts quiet down.
Four micro-routines that help me
Check-in: one minute per person, without interruption.
Mirror: “I heard that… Is that true?”
Consultation fast: ten minutes of just asking questions, no tips.
Arrive: Before the conversation, close your eyes, take three deep breaths, and set your intention. Go.
Find: the “listening room”
Discovered today: Michael Spitzenberger’s “listening room.”
A moderated setting in the real world, with coffee and genuine listening. It's located in Munich's city center—and should be located everywhere.
No fixes, no advice, just presence.
This fits so wonderfully with what we at Connecting Humans stand up for every day: creating spaces where people come together, open up, and feel connected.
Which of your next conversations needs an ear first – and only then an answer?
Listening with Connecting Humans
We design formats in which teams practice active listening – low-threshold, practical, and effective. We call this social fitness: skills that strengthen connection, trust, and collaboration.
Find out more on our website.
