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March 2, 2025

Hi Reader,

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Welcome to The Sunday Shift!

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Have you ever walked away from a conversation feeling unheard? Or maybe you’ve been in a discussion where the other person was nodding along, and you knew they weren’t really listening?

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In a world filled with distractions, true listening—the kind that builds trust, deepens relationships, and fosters understanding—is rare. Too often, we listen just enough to respond, rather than to truly hear.

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The most powerful communicators aren’t the best talkers.

They’re the best listeners.

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And when we shift from passive hearing to active, reflective listening, we create connection instead of conflict.

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⚡️ 1 Habit

Listen to understand, not to respond.

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The next time you’re in a conversation, practice active listening:

• Pause before responding. Instead of formulating your next thought while the other person is speaking, focus entirely on their words.
• Paraphrase what you heard. Try, "What I hear you saying is…" or "It sounds like you’re feeling…"
• Identify their core emotion. Are they frustrated, excited, uncertain? Acknowledging this builds trust and opens the door for real connection.

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Why it works: When people feel heard, they feel valued. And when they feel valued, they open up, trust more, and engage more deeply.

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📖 1 Story

When I stopped talking and started listening.

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I used to think being a good communicator meant being articulate, making strong points, and offering advice. But I’ll never forget the time a close colleague, and friend, shared something deeply personal with me. Instead of listening, I jumped in with a "solution."

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Their response? A quiet nod. A shift in posture. A polite, "Yeah, thanks."

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I could tell immediately, I missed something. I made the conversation about my response instead of about them and their experience.

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So I tried something different. I slowed down, let them finish, and instead of giving advice, I simply reflected: "That sounds really tough. What’s been the hardest part for you?"

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That moment changed everything. Their posture softened. They kept talking. They felt heard. And I realized that listening was more than having the right words—it was about making space for their words, their thoughts, their feelings, and their outcomes.

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🎯 1 Focus

Strengthen your listening toolkit.

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This week, challenge yourself to practice these listening techniques in your conversations:

1. Active Listening: Give your full attention—eye contact, body language, presence.
2. Reflective Listening: Repeat back key ideas to confirm understanding.
3. Paraphrasing & Summarizing: Rephrase what you’ve heard in a way that shows you get it.
4. Identifying Triggers: Notice words that spark emotional reactions—yours and theirs.

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The best relationships—at work, at home, in leadership—are built on trust. And trust starts with listening.

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So, what’s one way you’ll practice intentional listening this week? Hit reply and let me know.

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Here’s to conversations that connect.

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See you next Sunday.

Jenn