7 Habits – Mutual Understanding

Habit 5 is Mutual Understanding .

Listening with the intent to understand means listening with your eyes, ears and heart. This is a hard habit to internalize because most of us listen with the intent to reply, advise or interject our own autobiography into what somebody else is saying. To communicate effectively, we must first understand each other. This means listening empathetically and not trying to solve a problem without first sincerely understanding what that problem might be.

Suggested Activity

Have your child share an experience or conflict with you. Quietly listen and then repeat back what your child is trying to express to check for understanding. When you are finished, switch roles and have your child practice the skill of effective listening. Discuss the process and the benefits of trying to understand someone else’s perspective.