Deep Listening - Effective Communication For Engineers

Communication isn't just how you share information, it's also about how you take in information.
It is crucial to listen intently, especially during 1 on 1s. A lot of people don't realize that there's a large skill range when it comes to listening.
How to show that you're engaged:
- Lean in
- Nod to acknowledge core points
- For something heavier, you can say "Mmhmm".
A very powerful way to gain trust is to listen to people's problems and acknowledge them. A lot of people when they're faced with a problem, their initial goal isn't to actually solve the problem: It's just to find someone who will listen to their pain and feel less alone.
- Just saying something along the lines of "Dang, that sucks" can go a long way.
- Letting someone know that you have also faced this problem is also very effective. It builds solidarity and can help combat imposter syndrome as a lot of people are afraid that they are the only one facing the problem they have due to their own lack of ability.
Revel in people's wins with them! Respond to people's excitement and positive energy with your own.