One of Jones & Henry’s cultural Benchmarks is to Listen with Intent to Understand. Often, we become so focused on influencing others that we fail to hear their perspectives. Instead of listening carefully to understand their message, we are busy formulating our response as they speak.
Listening with the intent to understand is about trying to see an issue from another’s point of view, even if it differs from your own. That mindset challenges the common propensity to focus on getting our point across first.
The principle behind the listening with intent benchmark aligns closely with Stephen Covey’s “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood” concept, which he describes in his popular book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey explained that while trying to get our point across, our default tendency is to ignore what the other person is saying. As a result, we might not fully understand a problem before we attempt to solve it. We can develop more profound and intentional listening by suspending our desire to respond automatically. Then, we’re more likely to be heard when it is our time to be understood.
Incorporating this Benchmark into our daily interactions can enhance communication skills, strengthen working relationships, and lead to more positive and productive outcomes.
So, be present and engaged. Quiet the mind’s momentary distractions and resist the temptation to voice agreement or disagreement. By allowing others to express themselves without judgment, you can listen to understand.
