Skip to content

Communication Quote by Chris Voss

“Who has control in a conversation, the guy listening or the guy talking? The listener, of course. That’s because the talker is revealing information while the listener, if he’s trained well, is directing the conversation toward his own goals. He’s harnessing the talker’s energy for his own ends.” quote by Chris Voss
Download Open image
““Who has control in a conversation, the guy listening or the guy talking? The listener, of course. That’s because the talker is revealing information while the listener, if he’s trained well, is directing the conversation toward his own goals. He’s harnessing the talker’s energy for his own ends.””

Chris Voss

About This Quote

Source Book: Never Split the Difference, 2016

Effective listening lets you steer a conversation by extracting and redirecting the speaker’s information.

In simple terms: Listening lets you control dialogue.

Key Takeaway

Practice active listening to guide outcomes.

Themes

communication power strategy

Mood

strategic analytical

Type

advisory instructional

When to use this quote

  • business meetings
  • personal relationships
  • conflict resolution
  • coaching

Key Concepts

psychology negotiation tactics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you train yourself to listen strategically?
  • What ethical lines exist in redirecting others?
A Different Perspective

Listening alone isn’t enough without clear goals.

4.8 out of 5 (5 ratings)

More by Chris Voss

Explore all 94 Chris Voss quotes

More Communication quotes

Browse all 21,554 Communication quotes