PROBLEM SOLVING LISTENING

When listening to someone else’s problems or conflict, your instinct may be to jump in and to try to help the person solve the problem. While there may be a place for offering solutions towards the end of the conversation, often people are just looking for someone to listen to their story. It’s possible they have already or plan to develop solutions on their own. Jumping to a solution for the person may also rob you of the opportunity to listen to the whole story and result in you giving uninformed advice.

In this clip we see Marion’s response to problem solving listening. Marion finds the experience quite frustrating and doesn’t end up feeling listened to at all – rather she feels like she has been judged and lectured to.

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