My wife came into my office wanting to discuss her aunt who was just admitted to the hospital. I was feeling rushed because I was flying out to do a series of presentations. As she told me about her aunt, I continued to pack. All the signs were there but I missed them because I wasn't paying attention.
She was concerned for her aunt and getting agitated with me by my apparent lack of concern. Suddenly, we went from her aunt to not caring about her. How should I have handled the situation?
In hindsight, I should have stopped what I was doing and listened to determine what the situation involved. When I realized I couldn't do anything right then, I could have acknowledged her concern, explaining my urgency in getting packed and offered to call her from the airport to discuss it when I wasn't so distracted.
My point is, when you or someone has a problem to discuss, consciously decide to understand before you listen or you could postpone the conversation until you have the time to listen for understanding.
Did you understand what I thought I just said? Or did you understand what you thought I just said? This is all so confusing.
