--- title: "10 Listening Quotes By Stephen Covey" description: "10 Listening quotes by Stephen Covey. Plus more from Stephen Covey and more Listening sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93e/stephen-covey-339_communication_listen-with-the-intent-to-understand-not_309201.png" --- > [Listen with the intent to understand, not the intent to reply.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/listen-with-the-intent-to-understand-not-the-intent-to-reply/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93e/stephen-covey-339_communication_listen-with-the-intent-to-understand-not_309201.png) > [People don't listen to understand. They listen to reply. The collective monologue is everyone talking and no one listening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/people-don-t-listen-to-understand-they-listen-to-reply-the-collective/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ba/stephen-covey-339_collectives_people-don-t-listen-to-understand-they-l_2811217.png) > [When you listen with empathy to another person, you give that person psychological air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-you-listen-with-empathy-to-another-person-you-give-that-person/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c89/stephen-covey-339_air_when-you-listen-with-empathy-to-another_197728.png) > [“In fact, if you think about it, don't you find that, while others are speaking to you, instead of really listening to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-fact-if-you-think-about-it-don-t-you-find-that-while-others-are/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b25/stephen-covey-339_listening_in-fact-if-you-think-about-it-don-t-you_1240330.jpg) > [Communication is the most important skill in life. We spend most of our waking hours communicating. But consider this: You've spent years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/communication-is-the-most-important-skill-in-life-we-spend-most-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f20/stephen-covey-339_communicate_communication-is-the-most-important-skil_2055703.png) > [“To carefully listen is a powerful way of saying to another that we value that person. When we take the time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-carefully-listen-is-a-powerful-way-of-saying-to-another-that-we/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e6/stephen-covey-339_communication_to-carefully-listen-is-a-powerful-way-of_1761077.png) > [You will never be able to truly step inside another person, to see the world as he sees it, until you develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-will-never-be-able-to-truly-step-inside-another-person-to-see-the/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80f/stephen-covey-339_able_you-will-never-be-able-to-truly-step-ins_835117.png) > ['In empathic listening you listen with your ears, but you also, and more importantly, listen with you eyes and with your heart.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-empathic-listening-you-listen-with-your-ears-but-you-also-and-more/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0cf/stephen-covey-339_behaviour_in-empathic-listening-you-listen-with-yo_2775009.jpg) > [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e4/stephen-covey-339_air_empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doe_12800.png) > [Empathic listening is so powerful because it gives you accurate data to work with. Instead of projecting your own autobiography and assuming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-is-so-powerful-because-it-gives-you-accurate-data/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/stephen-covey-339_accurate_empathic-listening-is-so-powerful-becaus_1766131.png) ## Other authors on Listening ## More by Stephen Covey > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The fire inside people is like a match; the way to ignite that flame is initially through friction, then other matches are lit through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-fire-inside-people-is-like-a-match-the-way-to-ignite-that-flame/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [In a very real sense, there are only two roles in organisations: customers and suppliers. Everybody functions simultaneously in both roles, whether inside or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-a-very-real-sense-there-are-only-two-roles-in-organisations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-choose-to-empower-them-to/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/be-part-of-the-solution-not-part-of-the-problem/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [If you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-are-an-effective-manager-of-your-self-your-discipline-comes/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I believe in Coach Louis Wong. He is so much more than just a football coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-believe-in-coach-louis-wong-he-is-so-much-more-than-just-a-football/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven't paid the price to decide what is really important to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-struggle-with-life-balance-simply-because-they-haven-t/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Highly proactive people don't blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-it-comes-to-developing-character-strength-inner-security-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-define-greatness-through-wealth-and-popularity-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don't; rather, trust is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/contrary-to-what-most-people-believe-trust-is-not-some-soft-illusive/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-are-limited-but-we-can-push-back-the-borders-of-our-limitations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really?... True effectiveness requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/many-people-seem-to-think-that-success-in-one-area-can-compensate-for/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listening/stephen-covey/#itemlist", "name": "10 Listening Quotes By Stephen Covey", "numberOfItems": 10, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Listen with the intent to understand, not the intent to reply.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/listen-with-the-intent-to-understand-not-the-intent-to-reply/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93e/stephen-covey-339_communication_listen-with-the-intent-to-understand-not_309201.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93e/stephen-covey-339_communication_listen-with-the-intent-to-understand-not_309201.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93e/stephen-covey-339_communication_listen-with-the-intent-to-understand-not_309201.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Listen with the intent to understand, not the intent to reply.” — Stephen Covey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "People don't listen to understand. 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You listen for feeling, for meaning. You listen for behaviour. You use your right brain as well as your left. You sense, you intuit, you feel.' ... 'You have to open yourself up to be influenced'.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-empathic-listening-you-listen-with-your-ears-but-you-also-and-more/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0cf/stephen-covey-339_behaviour_in-empathic-listening-you-listen-with-yo_2775009.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0cf/stephen-covey-339_behaviour_in-empathic-listening-you-listen-with-yo_2775009.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0cf/stephen-covey-339_behaviour_in-empathic-listening-you-listen-with-yo_2775009.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“'In empathic listening you listen with your ears, but you also, and more importantly, listen with you eyes…” — Stephen Covey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 9, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're already miles down the road; to redo; to live with unexpressed and unsolved problems; to deal with the results of not giving people psychological air.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e4/stephen-covey-339_air_empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doe_12800.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e4/stephen-covey-339_air_empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doe_12800.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e4/stephen-covey-339_air_empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doe_12800.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and…” — Stephen Covey", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 10, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Empathic listening is so powerful because it gives you accurate data to work with. Instead of projecting your own autobiography and assuming thoughts, feelings, motives and interpretation, you're dealing with the reality inside another person's head and heart. You're listening to understand. You're focused on receiving the deep communication of another human soul.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-is-so-powerful-because-it-gives-you-accurate-data/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/stephen-covey-339_accurate_empathic-listening-is-so-powerful-becaus_1766131.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/stephen-covey-339_accurate_empathic-listening-is-so-powerful-becaus_1766131.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/stephen-covey-339_accurate_empathic-listening-is-so-powerful-becaus_1766131.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Empathic listening is so powerful because it gives you accurate data to work with. 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