The 5^th Habit is first try to understand, before being understood. Let’s understand this, “Imagine you need glasses because everything looks blurry. You go to the eye doctor for help. Normally, the doctor tests your eyes with different lenses until your vision is clear. But what if the doctor just gave you her glasses without understanding your problem? That wouldn’t work, right?

When it comes to talking to others, some people do something similar. They give advice without really understanding the problem first. Effective people do things differently with a fifth habit: they listen before they talk.

Communication is vital in relationships. Most people focus on speaking and being heard, but that’s only part of good communication. To build strong connections, you must also listen and truly understand. To do this, you need to practice something called empathetic listening. This means not just hearing words but also understanding the deeper feelings behind them.

One way to do this is by not giving advice right away. Instead, try to understand the other person’s feelings and thoughts. You can say things like, ‘That sounds frustrating’ or ‘You feel this is important.’ This keeps the focus on the other person.

But remember, empathetic listening isn’t a quick fix. It takes time and effort. If you genuinely care about others and practice it, your relationships will become more meaningful and satisfying.