How I Learned to Listen

Papa, can you hear me?

Illustration by Tony Johnson

Do you think you’re a good listener?

Don’t answer yet. We’ll be right back.

First, to Sweden! The year is 1981. Researcher Ola Svenson, working late at the University of Stockholm, grabs his clipboard and walks down the hallways of the Department of Psychology. He confidently steps into a room filled with 41 other Swedes, parti…