Empathetic listening is one of the seven keys to effective communication. You gain vital information about the receiver of your message, empathetic listening makes you seem trustworthy, and it keeps you out of trouble.
The Greek philosopher Zeno of Citium was the founder of the Stoic school of philosophy. Stoicism is based on the idea of living a life of virtue in accordance with nature. Zeno believed that nature gave us two ears but only one mouth. Therefore, we should listen twice as much as we speak.
We agree. But maybe it is closer to two squared, or we should listen four times more than we speak. Learn more about the fourth bone, Empathy, of the FINESSE fishbone (cause and effect) diagram.
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