"Yada yada yada blah blah blah and I really believe that's the answer". You continue to nod your head politely as you stare blankly at the person in front of you. You are looking at them because you want to show them that you are listening and know that's the proper behavior. As the word "answer" leaves their lips you begin to talk about the next point that you want to bring up. If you are lucky, it will flow with what they have just said; however, the likelihood that the words coming out of your mouth will relate to what was just said are probably remote. Why, because you weren't really listening. What you heard amounted to the chatter that Charlie Brown hears from his teacher. You know that muffled waa-waa whaa-whaa waa-waa (sad trombone) sound.

Two things could happen at this moment in the conversation: (a) you begin talking about your points as if they had said nothing at all or (b) you realize that all you heard was the last seven words that they said and aren't sure what they "believe is the answer". Oh, there is a (c) in this scenario and that's where you were really listening and responded appropriately. But since you didn't that leaves (a) and (b) as the remaining options. However, in (a) you were oblivious and clueless that you were off track. You can't address what you haven't observed. Ok, so now we are left with option (b). The best thing to do here is to ask a question like "tell me why that's your belief?" or simply "tell me more?". Hopefully, with the help of...