Listening Strategies That Help in Team Negotiation Workshops

When I started working in corporate, my biggest fear was going to meetings and not saying a single word. This changed when I shifted my approach. Whenever I joined meetings, I felt the unprecedented pressure of contributing, and my mind was always racing to find something to speak about. Then someone told me that if you don't have something to contribute, think of questions. Then, my mind was racing to find good questions. But eventually, I noticed the best leaders around me. They did something different → they came in, stayed quiet, and just listened before they said anything. Earlier, all my efforts were going towards finding something that I could say. After my observation, I practiced shifting my approach towards becoming a good listener first. I realized that I had to put my user researcher hat on. This change in approach not only alleviated the pressure to speak but also enhanced my ability to contribute meaningfully when I did decide to share my thoughts. What I found works best to become a better listener: 1/ Practice "empty-cup listening": Walk into every conversation assuming you might learn something new. Drop your mental to-do list, that running checklist of points you want to make, and focus only on understanding. 2/ Master the "3-second rule": After someone finishes speaking, wait three full seconds before responding. This slight pause shows respect and often encourages people to share deeper thoughts. 3/ Use the "mirror technique": Briefly summarize what you heard and ask if you got it right. Say something like, "So what I'm hearing is..." This shows you're genuinely paying attention. 4/ Watch the “white space”: Notice what people aren't saying. Their hesitations and pauses often hold the most valuable insights. When someone hesitates before saying "yes" to a deadline, they're probably seeing risks they're afraid to mention. By listening first, we can gather more context, understand different perspectives, and make more informed contributions. Teams also work better when their leader is a good listener. When leaders model this behavior, it signals that the team values quality over quantity in communication. So, are you a good listener? What are some listening techniques that you practice? #communication #Leadership #Trust #Growth

Most leaders listen. Great leaders uncover the unspoken. 93% of communication isn’t in the words people say. If you’re only hearing words,  you’re missing the real message. Great listening isn’t about hearing. It’s about uncovering the pauses, the tone, the hesitations. Most people think they know what they want,  but true needs are often hidden behind words. That’s why great leaders don’t just listen.  They uncover what others are afraid to say. I used to think I was a great listener. Until someone told me, “You only hear what you want to hear.” That stung, but they were right. I wasn’t listening. I was waiting to talk. And it was costing me trust, opportunities, and relationships. When I started paying attention to what wasn’t being said, everything changed. Conversations went deeper, trust grew, and problems I didn’t even know existed started to solve themselves. The LISTEN Framework: L – Look for non-verbal cues. Body language, tone, and pauses. They reveal the real story. I – Interrupt less. Silence is your superpower.  Try asking, “What else is on your mind?” S – Summarize what you heard. “What I’m hearing is...”  Builds trust and clarity. T – Tune out distractions. Eye contact beats multitasking. Put away your phone. E – Empathize actively. Feel their emotions,  Not just their words. N – Notice the unspoken. What’s avoided or left out often holds the truth. Here’s how I’ve seen this play out: 1️⃣ Negotiations: A client hesitated when mentioning their boss. I asked, “What can we do to support internal buy-in?” That one question saved the deal, which we closed the next week. 2️⃣ Meetings: A fidgeting team member revealed a project risk when I asked, “What’s on your mind?” Their insight saved us weeks of rework. 3️⃣ Coaching: A client kept saying, “I just want to do better.” I asked, “What does ‘better’ mean to you?” They opened up about feeling overwhelmed. That conversation gave them focus and renewed confidence. Listening isn’t just a skill. It’s a strategy for trust and impact. The next time you listen, ask: What’s not being said? The answer might surprise you. What truth have you uncovered by listening? ♻️ Repost to inspire better listening. ➕ Follow me for more leadership insights.

What nobody tells you about executive presence: Silence creates more authority than words. Here are 15 listening techniques that will build trust: 1. The Echo Technique ↳ Repeat their exact words before responding. ↳ Forces complete understanding before reacting. 2. The Five-Second Pause ↳ Resist rushing to fill silence. ↳ Insights emerge when people feel space to continue. 3. The Deeper Dive ↳ Ask "What's beneath that?" after initial concerns. ↳ Real issues hide under surface statements. 4. The Lens Shift ↳ Ask "How does this look from your perspective?" ↳ Shows you value their unique viewpoint. 5. The Emotion Detector ↳ Name feelings: "You seem frustrated by this." ↳ People share more when emotions are recognized. 6. The Clarifying Recap ↳ "Let me make sure I understand correctly... ↳ Shows commitment to accurate understanding. 7. The Hypothetical Removal ↳ "If constraints vanished, what would you do?" ↳ Reveals thinking beyond current limitations. 8. The Devil's Advocate ↳ "May I challenge that assumption?" ↳ Creates space for productive disagreement. 9. The Intentional Notebook ↳ Take visible notes during conversations. ↳ Documenting words signals their value. 10. The Feedback Loop ↳ "What did I miss here?" ↳ Catches blind spots others see clearly. 11. The Statement First ↳ "I noticed X happening. Your thoughts?" ↳ Observations before questions reduce defensiveness. 12. The Physical Reset ↳ Put down phone. Close laptop. Make eye contact. ↳ Full attention has become rare. 13. The Story Completion ↳ When someone stops, ask "What happened next?" ↳ Important details often follow silence. 14. The Difficult Embrace ↳ Lean in when uncomfortable topics arise. ↳ Create safety around pain points. 15. The Room Scan ↳ Notice who nods, frowns, or stays quiet. ↳ Group dynamics reveal unspoken truths. Most leaders spend years developing what to say. Few invest equally in learning how to truly listen. Which of these techniques will you try out? ♻️ Enjoyed? Share this with others in your network. 🔔 Follow me, Ali Mamujee, for more content like this.