The Active Listening Mindset: Respect

365.229 by Dyanna Hyde, cc license

R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me!

When I searched on Flickr for an image to go with this post, I was struck by the top three search results. The first photo was a wall ironically graffitied with the words, “young people have no respect for authority.” The second was a public mural with the words, “diversity and respect in our community.” The third was an illustrated quote from Baltasar Gracian’s Criticon: “Respect yourself if you would have others respect you.” I thought these well represent the wide range of ideas we can have in mind when we think about the term, respect: tolerance, love, obedience, self-worth, and acceptance, to name a few.  Clearly, our definitions of respect can vary greatly, so let’s begin by clarifying what we mean by “respect.”

When I think about respect, specifically in the context of active listening, it boils down to three things. First, it involves understanding that the other person’s life experiences have informed his/her world view and a set of values that, even as they differ, are as valid as my own. Second, it involves accepting that I have no control over the other person’s beliefs or choices; that s/he will think and act autonomously. Third, it involves valuing the unique resources and abilities of the other person.  

Why respect?

It seems common sense to state that showing someone respect will pave the way for a more productive interaction. The reason that’s true is that by approaching someone with true respect you shift the conversation towards the core goal of active listening: making the person you are interacting with feel heard and understood. When you understand that the other person has a valid set of values and world view different from your own, you can begin trying to understand that difference and how the other person may view your current situation. When you accept the other person’s autonomy of thought and action you can let go of the kind of goals that get in the way of active listening (e.g., trying to convince, change a belief, or make someone do something). Finally, by valuing the other person’s unique qualities, you will naturally focus on discovering those gifts, rather than focusing on deficiencies. 

  

How to respect?

At this point last year I was gearing up to start the research stage of my master’s thesis. I took a qualitative approach and conducted in-depth interviews with a small group of crisis hotline directors. I was drawn to this method not only because I believed it was the best way to answer the questions I had about the future of crisis hotline staffing, but also because I really jived with the values inherent in doing this kind of qualitative research. In particular, I shared the belief that every individual is an expert on his or her own life and experiences.

Putting on the qualitative researcher hat, or the Super Student hat, can help to put you in the right frame of mind to embody and demonstrate respect. When you take this approach, you are trying to learn and understand what you can about the person with whom you are interacting. In addition to hearing the words the other person says, tune into the values, beliefs, and point of view that underlie those words. If you find yourself going into “debate mode,” remind yourself that now is the time for learning (and you will likely have a chance to let the other person learn about your values and views, soon).

Respect is not easy, and cultivating respect takes a lot of practice. Some of the most challenging conversations come from having very different values, and it’s incredibly difficult to remain respectful in those circumstances. Again, putting on the hat of an objective researcher or student can give you the emotional distance needed to remain respectful, curious, and sincere. Learning more about someone does not mean that you have to agree, but it does mean that your path forward in a conversation will become clearer.

Practicing respect.

Pick one day out of the upcoming week. On that day you will have a secret identity and a secret mission. If you wish you wish to accept, you will venture into the world as Super Student and your mission will be to figure out what every person you encounter has to teach you. Yes, you may have a primary reason for interacting with people throughout the day (getting a kiddo dressed for the day, setting a meeting agenda, paying for groceries, exchanging insurance information...), but on this one day you have a secondary reason for every interaction. Approach each person as a teacher, as an expert on his or her own life and experience, and open yourself to learning. At the end of the day, take a few moments to reflect on your feelings towards the teachers you encountered. 

Next in the Active Listening Primer: Non-Judgment 

The Active Listening Primer

Introduction

Part 1: The Active Listening Mindset

• Focus 
• Respect (you are here)
• Non-Judgment

Part 2: Basic Active Listening Skills

• Identifying and Reflecting Feelings
• Reflecting Content
• Asking Productive Questions

Bonus: Prompting Others to Actively Listen

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