Why Listening Well Can Make Disagreements Less Damaging
Guy Itzchakov
Good listening during disagreements can reduce tension and lead to more positive outcomes. By actively listening with attention and understanding, people can bridge differences in attitudes and promote mutual respect. High-quality listening can help individuals reflect on their perspectives and potentially soften extreme attitudes, even in the face of disagreement.
31 Jan 2025
This open and nonjudgmental approach can also involve asking questions while the other person is speaking, rather than making pronouncements. For example, instead of saying: ‘I think that your candidate’s economic agenda will damage our country’, a good listener might ask: ‘How do you think your candidate’s economic agenda will affect our country?’ Regardless of the answer, this can make a speaker feel less defensive than if they are immediately challenged
This research reveals the power of good listening in smoothing out disagreements. When people engage in high-quality listening, it can create a sense of connection and comfort for the speaker. This, in turn, seems to prompt speakers to think more deeply about their perspective, resulting in a noticeable reduction in attitude differences. Our findings underscore how essential good listening is for building bridges and fostering positive interactions, especially when people disagree.