Become a Better Listener by Taking Notes

Have you ever had a team meeting where members are speaking just to be heard? They interrupt others without hearing what they’re trying to say — or maybe they’re trying to one-up each other in front of their boss. These conversations lead to misunderstandings, frustration, and usually more meetings to fix miscommunication. To make your meetings more productive, you need to listen better, and that starts by processing information in a new way. A simple exercise called Margin Notes can help you separate key points of discussion with your own questions and concerns, allowing you the opportunity to truly listen to what’s being said. By taking the time to write down your observations and make connections between key ideas, you can thoughtfully craft your contributions to the discussion and get more real work done in meetings.