Take action: Summarise a conversation
Probably the best way to show that you have really listened to someone is to summarise the conversation you just had.
It can both save time and especially reduce any misunderstandings.
This will help you listen better and be perceived as a person who cares about what others say.
This is how you can summarize a conversation
- Keep your summary simple by following these points
• Try and summarise in bullet points
• Focus on the important key words
• Make it short
• Repeat key phrases from the other part
• Avoid your own opinion or view
It could start like this…
• “So, in summary, what I take away from this conversation is…”
• “Great, what I have heard is the following…”
• “Thanks for a good discussion, I think we have explored the following things…”
Halfway summary
You can also do it in the middle of the conversation, just to check that you understood everything correctly.
Do you agree?
A good way is to end the summary with a follow-up question.
• Do you agree?
• Did I understand you correctly?
• Do you want to add anything?
Ready for take-off.
Let’s practice summarizing a conversation next time you talk to a colleague.
Stay in the loop,
Your Personal Leadership Trainer
