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Listening is an essential skill whether you\u2019re at work or at home, whether you\u2019re the CEO or an hourly worker.\u00a0 Yet it\u2019s a skill that many of us either never acquired, or have allowed to lapse.\u00a0 In a conversation, do you find yourself crafting your next statement of brilliant insight rather than listening to what your discussion partner is saying?\u00a0 Or if your discussion partner is saying something with which you strongly disagree, do you try to interrupt without letting him or her finish the thought?\u00a0 When your discussion partner is speaking, do you allow your gaze to drift away from him or her?<\/p>\n
Your friends, family, co-workers, customers . . . everyone wants to be heard.\u00a0 And not heard in a superficial way, but genuinely heard and understood.\u00a0 Hearing and understanding someone does not mean you agree with them.\u00a0 It simply means you\u2019re paying attention and allowing them to get their thoughts fully formed and on the table.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t listen closely and you don\u2019t allow them to fully express themselves, then what do you think happens when you speak?\u00a0 They don\u2019t listen.\u00a0 They\u2019re too busy thinking about how they can get your attention and complete the thoughts they believe you didn\u2019t hear.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s another reason to hone our listening skills.\u00a0 Despite our brilliance, insightfulness, and superior intellect, people may surprise us with ideas we hadn\u2019t considered or points of view we hadn\u2019t appreciated.\u00a0 Really.\u00a0 It can happen, but you have to begin with an open mind.<\/p>\n
So turn off all those other voices in your head, ignore any other distractions, and listen, truly listen and try to understand.\u00a0 Ask questions and test your understanding by paraphrasing what you\u2019ve heard so your discussion partner knows you\u2019re paying close attention.\u00a0 Then and only then will you<\/span><\/em><\/strong> be heard and understood.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Listening is an essential skill whether you\u2019re at work or at home, whether you\u2019re the CEO or an hourly worker.\u00a0 Yet it\u2019s a skill that many of us either never acquired, or have allowed to lapse.\u00a0 In a conversation, do you find yourself crafting your next statement of brilliant insight rather than listening to<\/p>\n