Doug NollI'm called in when human dynamics are getting in the way of strategic leadership execution.

Unlock Better Conversations with 2 Types of Listening

9 Jan 2026 · 1 min

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Doug Noll explains two listening modes: Type 1 focuses on information through paraphrasing and questions, while Type 2 uses empathy and affect labeling to validate speakers and calm conflict. Most people rely too heavily on one.

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There are two kinds of listening that I teach, Type 1 and Type 2 listening. Type 1 listening is where you, you're listening for information. So you're listening to people to find out what their ideas are, you know, if you're doing any kind of reflections, typically paraphrasing their words, asking questions, and that's one kind of listening. And then there's another kind of listening that I call Type 2 listening, where the focus, you're listening from the speaker's frame of reference. And typically in Type 2 listening, you're doing a technique called core messaging and affect labeling, where you're listening to their emotions and you're reflecting their emotions. And the goal there is to make the speaker feel validated and heard, and in intense situations, to de-escalate them, to calm them down. I'm wondering, I'm wondering if, if you were to think about what kind of listening you do, how, what's the balance between those two types of listening?
Um, I would say it's, uh, probably both.
Okay.