Listening is a skill ~ an art. The more we coach, either in a team setting or one on one, the more we realize how important it is to develop our ability to listen. The key to communication and influencing people is to listen first and talk second and very little. Seek first to understand and show your understanding and then seek to be understood. Heard this before? Sounds simple doesn’t it? Simpler said than done and so rarely done.
How skilled are you at listening, truly listening? Are you listening to what is being said and to what is not being said? Are you working at understanding and walking in their shoes or are you busy preparing your next line, rebuttal, or solution to their “problem?” Are you off somewhere else thinking about tonight’s dinner or your golf game tomorrow?
This week encourage yourself to take opportunities in the week ahead to listen, really listen, to those around you, your team, your clients and your loved ones. Be the true receiver of the information they are sharing. Be curious. Ask open ended questions. Listen carefully for the message. Indicate that you have heard and understood by paraphrasing back what you have heard. Ask more questions. They will be thankful. You will be amazed at your results.
The poem by Sean Covey’s book “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” indicates the human desire to be heard and understood. This is a great resource tool to drive home the importance of listening.
Please listen
When I ask you to listen to me
and you start giving me advice
you have not done what I asked.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you begin to tell me why
I shouldn’t feel that way
you are trampling on my feelings
When I ask you to listen to me
and you feel you have to do something
to solve my problem
you have failed me
strange as it may seem
Listen! All I ask is that you listen
Don’t talk or do—just hear me
Sean Covey
7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens
Active listening in your practice can help build and establish trust, rapport and effective communication among co-workers and patients. It can reduce misunderstandings, increase productivity and build relationships. Follow these simple steps to ignite active listening and communication skills.
- Pay attention and give the speaker your full attention. Avoid the distraction of thinking what you should day next.
- Use positive body language to show you are listening. Make your posture be open and inviting.
- Seek to understand what the speaker is saying by reflecting and studying the information given. Ask questions to clarify what you may not fully understand. Do not assume, ask.
- Do not interrupt the speaker. Wait until they are finished to ask any questions.
- Remember to listen – do not be so caught up in taking notes that you miss what the speaker is saying.
- Respond appropriately, be honest and state your opinions respectfully.
Active listening is a learned skill and when used properly in workplace you will see the positive results. Call us today at 1-800-345-5157 or email at info@tcgdds.com for more information on how we can help you succeed.
