Step 1: Listen To Others

When I was growing up, our dining room was only used for two purposes: for big family meals (celebrations like Thanksgiving or Christmas), and for fights. I know that sounds strange, but when my sister and I started arguing, or my cousins and I got in a heated debate, my mom would call us into the dining room and make us sit down at that wooden table for what she would call a “family discussion.”

Conversations like this can be uncomfortable, but they are necessary. Almost every time we sat down for a family discussion we were forced to hear out the other side. New understanding was almost always the outcome. My mom understood that something amazing happens when you sit down and listen to each other. When you take the time to hear someone else’s perspective, it allows you to empathize with their emotions.

Next time you find yourself in a disagreement, resist the urge to flee the scene. Instead, take a beat and listen to the other person. Chances are, you may learn something new and important. You may even change your mind. Listening is an act of respect as well, so we owe it to each other to listen without interrupting.