Habit 5: Begin With the End in Mind-

Key principles of Habit 5:

• Empathic Listening: The core skill is listening with the intent to understand the other person's feelings and meaning, not just their words. 

• Diagnose before you prescribe: Don't jump to solutions or share your own experiences until you fully grasp the other person's situation. 

• Overcoming the "reply" instinct: Most people listen with the intent to reply, filtering what they hear through their own experiences. Habit 5 requires suspending this instinct. 

• The power of being understood: Once you've genuinely listened, you can express your own ideas with greater clarity and integrity, and people will be more willing to hear you because you've shown you understand them. 

• Building influence: Being influenceable (open to others' views) is the key to influencing them. This habit expands your "Circle of Influence".