Stephen Richards Covey: The Biggest Communication Problem

"I realize this is a radical statement, but to me it is true. I believe I don't really listen unless there is some truth in what the other person is telling me. Not just on the surface, but underneath. What drives them? Why do they say that? What are they trying to understand? Perhaps there is something positive in them that could change me for the better. I should always look out for something that positively changes me. But I find that when I listen more mindfully, I ask myself: What is behind it? Recently, I had a conversation, or rather, I listened to a conversation on YouTube. Someone claimed that it is possible that the Earth is flat. If I had spoken with this person, I would hopefully say: "Well, how did you come to this belief? Where does this idea come from?" Because there is something good about their trying to understand how nature works. Is the Earth round or flat? What is going on here? Behind it lies something useful that I can identify with. We don't have to shout at each other all the time." Alan Alda

"Everyone hears only what they understand." Goethe