Front matter

Introduction

“Did You Hear What I Said?” Why Listening Is So Important

“Thanks for Listening” How Listening Shapes Us and Connects Us to Each Other

Why Don’t People Listen?” How Communication Breaks Down

“When Is It My Turn?” The Heart of Listening: The Struggle to Suspend Our Own Needs

“You Hear Only What You Want to Hear” How Hidden Assumptions Prejudice Listening

“Why Do You Always Overreact?!” How Emotionality Makes Us Defensive

“Take Your Time— I’m Listening” How to Let Go of Your Own Needs and Listen

“I Never Knew You Felt That Way” Empathy Begins with Openness

“I Can See This Is Really Upsetting You” How to Defuse Emotional Reactivity

“We Never Talk Anymore” Listening Between Intimate Partners

“Nobody around Here Ever Listens to Me!” How to Listen and Be Heard within the Family

From “Do I Have To?” to “That’s Not Fair!” Listening to Children and Teenagers

“I Knew You’d Understand” Being Able to Hear Friends and Colleagues

Epilogue

Index

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