3.7. Summary

Good listening can be contagious. We started this chapter by saying that stories start with listening. When you get in the habit of really listening, you may be surprised to discover how many stories you will hear. You are listening more, so you will have more opportunities. Because you are listening more deeply, the stories you find will be more useful, meaningful, and interesting.

• Listening carefully allows you to hear subtext and overtones in what people say, especially when you combine it with observing them.

• When you allow people time to speak, they can think more carefully about what they are saying and share deeper thoughts.

• You can learn to be a good listening, using active listening techniques.