The Value of Listening – Part 2
By Peggy Brockman
The following information was taken from one of the values lessons I wrote about in the La Transformación Está En Mi training in Guatemala. It is one of the most important lessons taught. Last month we covered Part 1 including the five benefits and five characteristics of a good listener. This month we will cover the Steps to Follow to be a good listener and then an Evaluation and Action formula you can use to become a better listener.
By becoming better listeners we can greatly improve our effectiveness in our personal and professional relationships. We can greatly increase our ability to influence, persuade and negotiate. We can be more effective with customers. We can collaborate more effectively with team members. We can deepen our family relationships. In every single situation and circumstance, we can benefit from purposefully listening to others. So what steps do you need to take?
- LISTEN WITH AN OPEN MIND. Be prepared to hear and consider all sides of an issue.
- STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING, MAKE EYE CONTACT, AND FULLY ENGAGE. Give the other person your undivided attention. Set aside email, phone calls and other potential distractions.
- LISTEN OBJECTIVELY. When you approach the conversation with a non-judgmental attitude, you create the trust that is necessary to establish open and honest communication.
- ASK QUESTIONS. Make sure that you really understand the meaning behind what the other person is saying. Avoid misunderstandings by asking follow-up questions. Paraphrase or summarize the other person’s thoughts to show that you are listening and to make sure that you truly understand their perspective.
- AVOID THE TEMPTATION TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SAY NEXT. Instead, pay attention to everything the person is saying before you formulate your response.
STEPS TO EVALUATE AND TAKE ACTION:
- Rate yourself on the value of listening in your life on a scale of 1-10. ___________
- Why did you give yourself this rating?
- What benefits will you receive if you improve your rating?
- Who do you know that demonstrates the value of listening? What do you admire about this person?
- What specific action can you take immediately that will improve your rating?
- Review the value of listening every day for a week to help you strengthen this value in your life.
If you value people and seek to understand them, you can absorb their wisdom and experience. Growth comes as a result. Listening is the key to this growth.
**Peggy is the author of “10 Feet from the Edge: Stuck in the Comfort Zone” available on Amazon. This article is an excerpt from La Transformación Está En Mi. If interested in bringing this values based training program to your organization you can reach Peggy by email at [email protected] or by phone at 850-259-8356. Peggy is a John Maxwell Team motivational speaker, corporate trainer and life and business coach. Her website is www.peggybrockman.com.
