Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
“Listening is more than not talking,” says Professor Christian Wheeler. In his course Leadership Agility, he teaches how to build stronger connections and lead more effectively through better listening.
1. Listening is more than not talking
True listening means putting aside your own thoughts. “You’re not critiquing their ideas. You’re not formulating counterarguments,” Wheeler says. “All you’re trying to do is to understand.”
2. Put away your phone
Research shows that even having your phone on the table reduces your cognitive performance. “Your attention is the currency,” Wheeler says, “and it’s the best gift that you can give your conversation partner.”
3. Ask questions
People like to be asked questions because it shows their audience is listening. “When we ask follow-up questions, it signals interest,” Wheeler says. “It shows that we’re listening, that we seek to understand them.”
4. Think like a thief
Wheeler sees every interaction as an opportunity to gain something — knowledge, a good story, or deeper connection. “You should have a goal to take something from every social interaction,” he says.
5. Avoid the negativity trap
When it comes to social interactions, the bad tends to outweigh the good. That’s why Wheeler advises striving for positivity. Find areas of agreement, even if you disagree with someone.
“Listening is more than not talking,” says Professor Christian Wheeler. In his course Leadership Agility, he teaches how to build stronger connections and lead more effectively through better listening.
1. Listening is more than not talking
True listening means putting aside your own thoughts. “You’re not critiquing their ideas. You’re not formulating counterarguments,” Wheeler says. “All you’re trying to do is to understand.”
2. Put away your phone
Research shows that even having your phone on the table reduces your cognitive performance. “Your attention is the currency,” Wheeler says, “and it’s the best gift that you can give your conversation partner.”
3. Ask questions
People like to be asked questions because it shows their audience is listening. “When we ask follow-up questions, it signals interest,” Wheeler says. “It shows that we’re listening, that we seek to understand them.”
4. Think like a thief
Wheeler sees every interaction as an opportunity to gain something — knowledge, a good story, or deeper connection. “You should have a goal to take something from every social interaction,” he says.
5. Avoid the negativity trap
When it comes to social interactions, the bad tends to outweigh the good. That’s why Wheeler advises striving for positivity. Find areas of agreement, even if you disagree with someone.
