Have you ever been in a situation where someone in authority
starts talking in your workplace, and you think to yourself—“This person has no
clue!”—because his/her words bear no resemblance to reality?
Well you’re not alone.
All too often we forget one of the basics of leadership: LISTENING.
Of all the leadership attributes important for success, listening may be
the most important. You can have many
leadership skills, but if you don’t listen to people, it’s all for naught.
The leader who listens knows what is happening around him or
her because listening opens doors to genuine communication. It demonstrates respect and caring for
others.
But listening only gets you part of the way to better
leadership. You must also LEARN from it and use that learning to guide your
actions. It’s only through learning that
we are able to change, grow, and prepare for the future.
Listening and learning help make leaders credible because
they compel the leader to put people first, and that’s when things can really
start to happen.
Here are a few techniques to help you become a better
listener…and learner:
1) Know the difference between hearing and
listening.
2) Adopt
the 2/1 Rule: Listen twice as much as
you talk.
3) Play
the concentration game—Focus on what the speaker is saying and don’t jump to
conclusions.
4) Listen
to what people are NOT saying.
5) Welcome
ideas that are not your own.
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