Yesterday I had to go to an event for work, and ended up listening to a consultant give a lecture.  It was one of those business consultants who attempts to teach business leaders how to develop new thought processes.  In particular, this consultant advocated the creation of a “thinking environment” in which a speaker and a listener become “thought partners.”

According to this consultant, you have thought partners when:

The listener focuses solely on the speaker without moving or fidgeting.

The listener empowers the speaker to develop his or her thought process by being attentive and not interrupting.

The listener practices a “relaxed expression” for the speaker.  This expression should not be “neutral,” but rather be “positive.”

The listener doesn’t stare at the speaker, but makes his or her eyes “available” to the speaker.  “Soft eyes,” as the consultant put it.

You might laugh and sneer and say that this consultant is one of those high-priced bozos who makes a living talking nonsense.  However, I have to admit that while listening to this talk, I began to think of projects at work.  And then I thought of home repairs.  And then I thought of something funny I read.  Towards the end I spent most of the time thinking about sex.

Clearly, I am not a very skilled “thought partner.”

I need to work on this.