How to Listen So People Will Talk

Build Stronger Communication and Deeper Connections

By: Becky Harling

Narrated by: Carla Mercer-Meyer

Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

No relationship is perfect - but it can be better. The secret to stronger relationships isn't to become more charming or funny or to solve the world's problems or to just try harder. All you have to do is listen. It's that simple. Yet our noisy culture hasn't equipped us to do this. With warmth and a touch of humor, personal coach and expert communicator Becky Harling shares simple, practical listening tools that will help you become a person others are drawn to and want to spend time with, as well as how to:

• Be fully present
• Offer understanding instead of advice
• Ask great questions
• Create a sense of safety and trust
• Manage your body language
• And more!

When you learn to listen well, your marriage will grow stronger, your parenting will flourish, your friendships will thrive, and your influence at work will increase. You will be amazed at how one simple act can transform the hearts of others - as well as your own.

©2017 Mission Audio (P)2017 Mission Audio

So, so good

Age Appropriate For: 13 and up (for brief mention of hard things in author’s past)
Best for Ages: 18 and up

I love to talk, but the Bible clearly says that we are to be quick to listen and slow to speak. As I have trouble doing this, I was excited to read this book. It didn’t disappoint me. I found myself being convicted, encouraged, and given practical steps to become a better listener.

This is a small book, but it took me a while to go through it. Why? Because it was jammed packed with a lot of good material. I read a chapter and then did all the activities / answered all the questions. There were a few days I knew I wouldn’t have time, so I waited until I did. If you go through this book, I highly recommend doing all the stuff at the end of the chapter to really get the full impact.

The style in which this book is written is very engaging. I have loved books by Becky Harling since I read 30 Days of Praise. She is honest, funny at times, and kind. She doesn’t have a problem with telling it like it is, yet does it in a kind and gentle manner.

The only issue I had was that I felt that, in her chapter about giving advice, she made it sound as if it is never okay to confront people. While not the main point of the chapter, I think it is very clear from the scripture that there is a time and a place for Christians to confront fellow believers about their sin. Some people might also might want to know that she briefly mentions that she was sexually abused as a child.

I have a list that I am starting of books I wish every Christian would read. This has made that list (Connecting by Larry Crabb is also on the list). I think it is a powerful book on a topic that is much easier ignored. If that doesn’t tell you enough about how much I like it, know that this book WILL be on my top ten books for this year.

I highly recommend this book for every Christian, those that want to deepen their friendships, and anyone who wants to become a better listener.

needed this

very eye opening and helpful
loved it!!
lots of great tips excited to start practicing this

Very Enlightening!

I found this book to be very enlightening! I had no idea my fixer mentality was so unhelpful. This listening technique makes total sense! Better late then never anyway! I also loved how the Biblical trues were woven into each part to solidify these truths vs just someone's opinion (good as it would be)! Thank you for taking the time to share this very important skill!

Love it!

I really enjoyed this book and I learned a lot. The author really opened my eyes to how to truly listen and I will be listening to this again.

Religious Dogma Disguised As Self Help

I feel duped by the title of this book: Instead of professional advice on how to improve one’s listening skills, this book presents one pathetic anecdote after another with personal reflections—quite particular to a single individual—rooted in quoted bible verses and religious dogma. A more appropriate title for this book would have been something like: “Don’t you want to be a good Christian?” Audible, you should move this title to Religion!

100% a Christian book and no authority to be writing this book

I feel that as a religious book you have the obligation to disclose that you are a Christian book before people are reading it. The stories are completely untied there is no good guidelines except talking about her own family and her own life and saying that we might be all just like her. I have to tell you after being someone in mental health care for 38 years and looking for a little refresher on good listening this was absolutely a disaster book

A "How-to" book wrapped in a Christian sermon

Would you try another book from Becky Harling and/or Carla Mercer-Meyer?

I would not read another book by Becky Harling as our beliefs do not line up and I do not rely on the Holy Spirit to guide my decisions and actions in life. No offense to Becky but we don't see eye to eye.

What do you think your next listen will be?

A book on communication using practical and sound advice outside of the realm of religion

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator did fine no complaints.

Any additional comments?

I wanted to read a book on how to listen better with techniques and advice without praying to Jesus or relying on the Holy Spirit to help me get there.

Very religious

It was too much religion for me. like a Bible study. if that's what you are looking for then it's perfect.

All about religion, not about listening.

I can not recommend this book for anybody that doesn't have deep religious beliefs. Not for me.

Too religious to be useful in any way

Normally I can sift through religious rhetoric well enough to gain some benefit of the discussion of the subject at hand. It was impossible in this audiobook. There should have been a subtitle, but then there would be I missed opportunity to shove some religion down unsuspecting people....