“Listening is an art that requires attention over talent, spirit over ego, others over self.” -Dean Jackson
How does the quote above resonate with you:
Pause here for a moment and free yourself from distractions:
Take a deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... deep breath in... exhale slowly... calm your mind and be present...
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your listening skills?
...think about it for a moment... it truly is an art...
I know you can hear, but are you listening is the question... Think about that for a moment...
What is the difference between listening and hearing?
...Are you aware that there is a difference...?
Hearing is the act of perceiving sound and receiving sound waves or vibrations through your ear. Hearing is a skill where you use your ears only.
Listening is more involved. Listening is the act of hearing a sound and understanding what you hear.
Are you listing to understand or simply to reply?
...Think about it and be honest with yourself...
There is always room for improvement and we can't change what we don't acknowledge. Psychology Today provided some things to consider if your are looking to improve your listening skills:
7 Steps to Become a Better Listener:
1. Comprehend what is said: A good listener must be able to untangle an unclear message and or be secure enough to ask questions for clarification. Avoid guessing. The speaker will appreciate that someone cared enough to ask the question, and often the re-explanation is clearer than the original.
2. Notice important things not said: Are you good at listening for the important unspoken? It can be instructive and revealing.
3. Recognize changes in tone and body language: How are you at monitoring the speaker’s face, voice, and body language? A good listener observes baseline behavior: A person’s face, voice, tone, pitch and body language.
4. Consciously decide whether to add input: Good listeners are secure enough to rationally decide whether to add input or to just listen and possibly ask follow-up questions. Do you add content to a conversation only when wise?
5. Accurately determine whether to think ahead: Good listeners have learned from experience to restrain themselves from thinking, or speaking, ahead. How good are you at predicting what is going to be said?
6. Think before responding: Good listeners may take some time before responding. Simply taking a few seconds to think or say, “Give me a second to think about that.” makes a speaker feel that what they've put forth merits reflection.
7. Know when it’s wise to interrupt. Interrupting can make the speaker feel invalidated. Let the person talk. As a speaker proceeds, they relax and are more likely to disclose something they might not have planned to earlier. At the same time, when dealing with long winded people some interruption might be justified if you are confident it won’t add more value or pleasure to the situation.
How will you listen differently?
...which item(s) from the list above is something you could work on improving...
Today's Challenge: Be a better YOU! Build better relationships... Commit to improving your listening skills:
Listen to learn and understand, not just to reply
Lead with compassion, patience, and notice what is not said
Be secure enough to ask question if something is unclear, don't make any assumptions
Avoid interrupting or offering your own opinion unless absolutely necessary.
Make this a Meaningful Monday. Be intentional and encourage others to do the same and watch what happens.
"It takes a great man to be a good listener" Be GREAT!
You got this!
Coach Tavia
#learnandgrow, #beabetteryou, #leadbyexample, #justdoit, #listenmore, #levelup, #selfawareness, #selfimprovement. #lifecoach, #leadershipcoach, #leadershipdevelopment, #letsgo
Related Article:
How to Become a Better Listener: 7 steps to gaining understanding and respect
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