![]() ![]() That might make you an excellent debater, but it doesn’t make you a good listener. Here’s a quote from leadership development consultants Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman, who analyzed the behavior of 3,492 participants in a program to help managers become better coaches: “Poor listeners were seen as competitive - as listening only to identify errors in reasoning or logic, using their silence as a chance to prepare their next response. Competition is at odds with the trust and safety you need for a real conversation to begin. Listening is not about who’s the smartest person in the room. Your conversational partner will most likely rephrase or provide more information, giving you a better understanding of what’s on his or her mind.Ĥ. An effective way to do that is through mirroring: repeat the last few of the other person’s words and then go silent. If we talk about a black dog, chances are that we both have different pictures in our head.Īlways check to make sure you’re on the same page. Even if we share the same language, our words don’t necessarily mean the same. Don’t assume that you understand what the other person is saying. If you have clarity on your goals, you’ll find the appropriate words when needed to keep the conversation moving in the right direction.ģ. The most important thing to do in your preparation is to ask yourself what you want to get from the meeting and why it matters. You’ll be thinking about the next question on your list, while you should be 100% focused on the other person. If you bring a detailed checklist or a list of carefully formulated questions into a meeting, your preparation can easily become a distraction. Preparation is crucial, but don’t take it too far. ![]() Preparation can be your best friend – and your worst enemy. To listen effectively, you have to embrace a mindset of discovery and be genuinely curious in what the other person has to say - regardless of your own opinion.Ģ. Each conversation is an opportunity to learn something new. Listening is not about the beautifully formulated questions that you ask or the brilliant solution you’ve come up with it’s about the person on the other side of the table. To support you on your listening journey, here are a few principles that I rely on to maintain and build my listening skills and mindset in each interaction.ġ. Next time you go into a meeting, ask yourself if you really need to bring that laptop. Don’t let distractions get in the way of good listening. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |