Managing Humans: More Biting and Humorous Tales of a Software Engineering Manager

© Michael Lopp 2021

M. LoppManaging Humanshttps://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-7116-2_16

16. You’re Not Listening

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

Michael Lopp¹  

(1)

Los Gatos, CA, USA

 

I don’t want to write this chapter. I believe there is no way to provide advice about listening without typing the word feel.. a lot.. 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 hearing ...