Managing Humans: Biting and Humorous Tales of a Software Engineering Manager, Third Edition

© Michael Lopp 2016

Michael Lopp, Managing Humans, 10.1007/978-1-4842-2158-7_15

15. You’re Not Listening

Look them straight in the eye and never look at the clock

Michael Lopp¹ 

(1)Los Gatos, California, USA

I don’t want to write this chapter. I believe there is no way to provide advice about listening without sounding like a touchy-feely douchebag. But I’m going to write this chapter because there is a good chance that your definition of listening is incomplete, and what I consider to be obvious and simple ways to listen are not obvious at all.

The problem starts with the word: listen. Of course you know how to listen. You sit there and let the words into your head. Perhaps your definition is more refined. Maybe your definition of listening involves ...