This was an interesting short read about the importance of listening, and how we can do it better. Hilary Fraser provides a comprehensive account of different types of listening - from professional and personal contexts, to listening to nature and to oneself. The book eloquently describes how skilful listening improves communication, relationships and wellbeing. As Hilary points out, most people tend to want to learn to speak more effectively - but listening is equally if not more important.

I was particularly interested in the sections on listening in a work context, especially "Listening to Learn", as I'm aware this is something I often struggle with. (More so now, when so many calls are on Teams, and it's so easy to get distracted.) There are some very helpful tips, which I definitely need, for listening and note-taking.

Other sections on relational listening (strengthening interpersonal relationships), listening to nature, and listening to oneself are also interesting and helpful.

I liked the practical exercises and self reflection questions.

Overall a very worthwhile read, and I hope to be listening better as a result!

A fine book, but nothing magical. Would be good for young adults looking to build professional relationships in the workplace, or someone looking to be a better partner after a break up. Good advice.

Someone gave me this book and I'll be honest I thought how hard can listening be I do it every day. Then I read the first chapter and realized I have basically never properly listened to anyone in my life. Humbling start to a Tuesday evening.
I read it over a few nights and each time I'd finish a chapter I'd catch myself in a conversation the next day doing exactly the thing she said not to do. Waiting for my turn to talk instead of actually hearing someone. Finishing people's sentences. Already forming my response while they're still speaking. It was like she'd been watching me and writing it all down.
The bit about silence wrecked me. We are SO uncomfortable with quiet. She talks about just letting someone think out loud without jumping in to fix or advise or fill the gap and I tried it the next day with a friend and the conversation went somewhere completely different than it would have if I'd done my usual thing. That alone was worth the whole book.
The meeting stuff is practical in a way that doesn't feel boring. How to actually get something out of limited time with someone instead of both people just performing at each other for thirty minutes. I used one of her tips in a work call the following week and it genuinely changed the dynamic.
And listening to yourself. Your own inner voice. She doesn't make it weird or spiritual she just points out that most of us are so busy listening to everything else that we've completely tuned out the one voice that actually knows what we need.
The nature chapter surprised me. I wasn't expecting it but the connection between listening and being outdoors makes so much sense once she explains it.
If you think you're already a good listener read this anyway. You'll find out you're not and weirdly that's the best thing about it. She's been trying to shut up and listen for a lifetime and her honesty about that makes you trust everything she says.