All too often we read studies that report clients’ pet peeve with their counsel is they’re not listening to them. Or, cited another way, clients frequently do not feel heard.

Given the sometimes intimate nature of an attorney-client relationship, neither party wants to maintain a connection and/or continue doing business with someone if she does not feel heard and valued. That does not even address the negative messaging being relayed through constant interruptions in the speaking exchange or the inaccurate inferences being drawn from a distracted or neglectful listener.

Given that listening is such an integral part of the communication process, it is essential that we analyze the listening process and how to harness the power of active listening for the sake of developing stronger relationships