Listen to two people at the same time.

Have one person be the designated listener. Have two people talk separately at that person, about a topic of choice, for one minute straight. That’s it.

The goal will seem like it’s about how much you can hear and remember of each person.

But the real goal of the exercise is to learn that true listening is about shifting focus out of your own head. During the exercise, the listener will want to form strategies (shift back and forth quickly, close eyes, listen for key words), judge themselves and how they’re doing, judge what the two people are saying, etc.

The lesson is that you’re really listening to THREE people at once. Two people talking, and the voice in your head commenting on the proceedings. Pick one to focus on, and that will be who you actually hear.