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“Listen to the silence – it has so much more to say.”

I have great conversations with M, one of my closest friends. We live in different countries and time zones but make it a point to speak with each other about once a month. I’m grateful.

While M is extremely intelligent and wise, the trait I appreciate most is that he listens extraordinarily well.

He asks really good questions, holds space and stays out of the way of my answers.

I always feel heard, I always feel understood.

At the end of one of our conversations, M told me he felt I listened well.

Which makes me conclude:

The best conversations are when both parties are listening for 70% of the time and talking the other 30%.

Don’t ask me how the math works. It just does.

Have a great weekend everyone.


Oliver Foo is a keen student of organizational and individual behaviours, and helps executives to walk the talk.

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