One Powerful Tip for Improving Empathetic Listening in Your Communication
- JD Solomon
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Ernest Hemingway once observed that most people never listen. He was right. In technical and policy communication, listening is often overshadowed by the urge to prepare our next point or defend our position. Empathy, the first “E” in the FINESSE Fishbone Diagram®, reminds us that listening is not passive. It is intentional. And the most practical way to begin is with one simple step: clear your mind.
Why Clearing Your Mind Matters
When presenting to senior management, your thoughts can race ahead: the next slide, the anticipated question, the potential objection. This mental clutter blocks empathy. Clearing your mind means pausing those internal rehearsals and focusing fully on the speaker. It is the discipline of being present. Without it, you risk missing subtle cues—tone, hesitation, or unspoken concerns—that often carry more weight than the words themselves.
How to Put It into Practice
Before entering the room, take a moment to reset. Acknowledge your own feelings, then set them aside. As the conversation unfolds, resist the temptation to plan your response while others are speaking. Instead, listen with the intent to understand, not to reply. Keep tabs on your emotions, but don’t let them drive your reactions. By remaining calm and attentive, you create space for others to be heard.
The FINESSE Connection
The FINESSE Fishbone Diagram® is a cause‑and‑effect framework for navigating complexity and uncertainty. Poor listening leads to poor outcomes. Clearing your mind, on the other hand, strengthens trust and makes your technical insights actionable.
Resolve to be an Empathetic Listener
Empathetic listening begins with a clear mind. Practice it consistently, and you will elevate your role from technical specialist to trusted facilitator.
JD Solomon writes and speaks on decision-making, reliability, risk, and communication for leaders and technical professionals. His work connects technical disciplines with human understanding to help people make better decisions and build stronger systems. Learn more at www.jdsolomonsolutions.com and www.communicatingwithfinesse.com.
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