When we listen oft times our understanding of what we hear is based upon our own experience. We frame it and shape it to match what we know or what we hold to be true for us. Following this path, we form opinions, rebuttals, or rejections of what we think we heard. We make it about us, instead of the actual content of the communication. Now we lay in a puddle of misunderstanding. I don't want to lay in that puddle, do you?

Remaining cognizant while listening is critical to understanding. Avoiding the puddle requires that we put the speaker first instead of our framework/experience. When we put the speaker first and drop ourselves out of the equation we can actually learn something and contribute to the dialogue in a way that is productive for everyone. Distractions, misfires and miscommunication are eliminated.

Turn your ears on and your framework off today, what you learn will be worth it.