Listen

 A lot of the meetings I attend, my demeanor is to be a “listener.”  I learn a lot by listening.  If people come to know that I want to listen, then they will tend to be more honest and open.  If I am going to be a listener, then I must stop doing other things while the person is talking.  Multi-tasking won’t do it.  Cell phone activity is a turn off.  So if you think that someone is not being honest, or talking at any depth, you might first ask if you are a listener.  Patience, acceptance, and calmness are a big aid in learning to listen.  I have found it so.