Active listening checks that you understand another person's facts, needs, and uncertainty before proposing a response. Under pressure, it prevents teams from coordinating around different interpretations.

Pay attention without multitasking; clarify vague terms, scope, deadlines, and dependencies; paraphrase what you heard; then agree the next step or open question. Useful phrases include “If I understand correctly…”, “What evidence would confirm that?”, and “What do you need from me to proceed?”

Separate a fact, an interpretation, and a need. “An approval is missing” calls for identifying the approver; “priorities are never clear” needs a concrete decision; “I cannot take another critical task” needs a capacity conversation.

For three minutes, listen to a colleague or a fictional message without advising. Ask two clarifying questions, summarise facts and need, and ask whether your summary is correct.

Clear messages prevent outward assumptions; active listening prevents inward assumptions.

Listening first improves the action that follows. Next, turn disagreement into a work decision.