David Cooper

So observable behaviors, is that like interrupting you and recapping what you just said?

Maybe not interrupting, but recapping.

Is it nodding?

Like what are the observable behaviors that would let me know that someone is in fact listening well?

Okay, so that's how we know.

So then, how did you test this?

How did you test whether extroverts or introverts are, in fact, better at listening?

I know there's a difference, like, I guess, comprehension, being able to like recite what they said or write it down.

Or if you're given a quiz later, you would do better if you were actually listening better.

But when it comes to like interpersonal dynamics, does it matter?

Like, does it matter if someone at work thinks I'm a good listener versus whether I am?

This sort of creates a bit of a perverse incentive.

You could kind of be a bit sociopathic and like just pretend to all your coworkers you're a great listener, but actually not care and actually not digest it.

And then get the promotion because everyone thinks David's this great listener.

I worry about people hearing this research and just thinking I need to improve my skills on seeming like a good listener versus actually being one.

Wow, so it's kind of a bit like a fake it like you make it situation.

A skill, a way to become a better listener is just practice the skills of good listeners and then you'll kind of absorb things and maybe become one yourself?

Exactly.

Okay.

Well, I don't know anything that we just talked about because I wasn't listening.