Listening doesn't always get the attention that it deserves and is mostly taken for granted. It is a powerful ability that humans possess but is hardly used or applied. Problems between parents and children, between seniors and subordinates, between governments and the public-most interpersonal and social issues emanate from poor listening.

As we grow in life our responsibility lies more in listening than in speaking. The seeds of conflict are very often sown when we stop listening. Listening is a complex process, varied and fragile. What is the nature of listening required by individuals, organisations and nation states during times of transition and transformation? What kind of listening competencies are needed to positively cement our relationships? Which listening skills would we need when we want to understand ourselves better?

Silence too is a part of communication. How can you 'listen' to silence and understand its meaning? Silence and the internalisation of wisdom have the potential to revolutionise thinking and social development.
The Intent to Listen is a comprehensive attempt to analyse and understand the power of listening-about how, when and what actually facilitate its development and application. Detailed, simple and peppered with stories and scenarios, this is a must-read for effective communication.

Priya Somaiya, Executive Director, USHA Social Services (USS), is one of India's leading organisation development (OD) and human resource (HR) consultants.

In the course of a career spanning more than three decades, Dr Somaiya has assayed several roles, including that of OD and HR consultant, mentor, executive coach to senior leadership (CXO level), change interventionist and thought leader in the social development space. She has played a pivotal role in co-creating and advancing the community development vision and mission of a leading corporate firm in India. She has enabled leading business organisations-Hindustan Unilever, Sanofi India, ACC, Tata Group, ONGC and Hindustan Times-to handle intricate organisational complexities through various initiatives such as succession planning, senior leadership team development, potential and talent assessment, and coaching and mentoring.

In her current role in USS and USHA Consulting Services (UCS), she provides strategic leadership to community development and consulting practice areas within Usha International Limited. She spearheads community development initiatives in areas of entrepreneurship for rural women (spread across SAARC nations) and rural integrated development through non-formal education, the arrest of distress migration and poverty alleviation. Under her leadership, Silai schools have grown to become a national movement aimed at women's empowerment.

Dr Somaiya holds a PhD in Organisational Psychology from Allahabad University, India.