The 28 Laws of Listening: Best Practices for the Master Listener

by Dan Oblinger

This is a 4-week guided tour of best practices in listening well. The 28 Laws of Listening represent the methods and mindset necessary to foster a culture of authentic listening and trust. The author relates lessons learned in two decades of police work and hostage negotiation and another decade of corporate training and keynoting. It represents the absolute cutting edge of theory and practice for active listening practitioners and negotiators. Each law has a corresponding challenge designed for the reader to put the lesson into action to build good listening habits. The 28 Laws of Listening is the companion book to Life or Death Listening, also available on Amazon.

56 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Michelle Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book on the 28 laws of listening and feel encouragedto continue to strive to be a master listener. The enjoyed the format of a 28 day study with a quote, listening law, reflection on the law, and a daily challenge to help one work towards becoming a master listener. It would be beneficial for all listeners to read over and reflect on how they can improve their listening skills and the impact that may have on culture and others around them.

Some of the quotes from the book that especially encouraged me to continue to strive to be a master listener:

"Good laws should be moral and natural guides. Proper laws identify what things are and what they are for. Just laws reflect an environment where human beings flourish as they respect these truths."

"We listen to build trust in relationships. Without trust through empathetic listening, the relationship withers."

"A bad communicator is usually not failing a test of talking. They are failing in listening which means they are speaking without guidance or context. They are talking at people when they want to speak with people. "

"Authentic listening is an act of love."

"Know what you can control. Respect this law of listening to have a more peaceful existence. You are only responsible for your attitude and efforts to change through forming positive habits."

"That which we despise in others is that which we despise in ourselves."

"Humility is a secret ingredient in listening well."

[Cynthia Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Active Listening

Dan writes from his perspective as a hostage negotiator. I found each of the laws pertinent to my experiences as a hospice nurse, too. Walking into a unknown situation and environment to establish quick rapport with a stranger and their family requires vulnerability. There is nothing as meaningful as using your presence to meet people in difficult situations. Thanks Dan for a great read that provides useful information for everyone in a difficult situation.

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the daily challenge aspect of this text. Even when read in a sitting, the content flows and is easy to track the logic in the laws. Each law is practical and applicable. You should read the book through and then go back and complete the challenge. Great book and a suggested read.

[Tommy Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 28 laws of listening is a easy, quick, and concise explanation of the importance of listening and how to go about using listening skills. Something needed in todays generation is the ability to listen and to listen with purpose. In this book you read about 28 different listening skills to know and improve. The author has experience being a hostage negotiator ( which you see him mention every other paragraph ) and has a perspective I believe others can learn from. Although this book may protrude arrogance, the author has good intention in properly displaying true and active listening.