How to Really Listen (So People Feel Heard)

Your friend is telling you about their day. You nod, you say "yeah, totally"... but your eyes keep drifting to your phone and you're already planning what to say next. We spend a huge part of every day listening, but almost nobody is ever taught how to do it well. The good news: listening is a skill, and you can get much better at it. In this video: • How much people forget right after hearing something (it's more than you think) • What a phone on the table does to a conversation • Why "saying it back" makes people feel more understood than advice • The true story of a navy captain who took over one of the worst ships in his fleet and turned it around by listening • Six science-backed tools to become a great listener • A 7-day challenge to start today Follow Leo as he goes from talking over his robotics team to finally hearing the idea that fixed their robot. Lead yourself first. 🗓 7-DAY CHALLENGE Every day this week, have at least one conversation with your phone completely out of sight. In at least one conversation, say back what you heard before sharing your own opinion. And once, when someone shares a problem, ask: "Do you want advice, or should I just listen?" Comment below: Who is the best listener you know, and what do they do differently? ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 When nobody's really listening 1:45 Now, rewind: June 1997 3:06 Why listening is so hard 3:31 The Ralph Nichols listening tests 3:44 Question: how much do we remember? 4:37 Tool 1: Put the phone away 5:15 Tool 2: Use your spare thinking time 5:54 Tool 3: Say it back 6:34 Tool 4: Don't rush to fix it 7:03 Tool 5: Listen for what isn't said 7:30 Tool 6: Act on what you hear 7:56 What happened to the Benfold 8:52 Leo finally listens 9:36 Your toolkit and 7-day challenge