Our good friend at ClientKudos, John Stevenson, recently published an article about the importance of listening to others. These tips are helpful for increasing the number of meaningful interactions you have with people in your life. We thought we would share the article with all our CCB associates!
How well and frequently you listen to others is a better predictor of leadership potential and skill than your actual intelligence or personality.
And while we live in a world where incessant self-promotion, overtalking, and showboating is rewarded, it's the rare good listener who is more likely to stand out, excel at work, and develop more meaningful and fulfilling relationships overall, not to mention a higher level of their own wellbeing.
We trust good listeners more because they present to us as more curious, empathetic, and emotionally intelligent - self-aware of their own needs and the needs of others - which are all very attractive and compelling character traits.
These findings appeared in a recent Fast Company article by Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, the Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, and a professor of business psychology at University College London and Columbia University.
Chamorro-Premuzic says that the simplest advice is to "shut up, listen, repeat," however, he offers these meatier suggestions based on decades of research that highlight four enablers of high-quality listening:
Focus. A lack of undivided attention is the first and probably most destructive barrier to listening. Distractions, stress, and multitasking all detract from good listening. If you truly intend to listen, you have to focus.
Empathy. Stepping outside our ego, and putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes, significantly improves our listening skills. And adding in rational kindness and compassion gains bonus points.
Self-Control. Impulsive interruptions prevent good listening. Waiting for the other person to finish, and then even giving a 2 or 3 count before chiming in adds thoughtfulness and depth that others appreciate.
Inclusion. Even if you managed to accomplish the first three things, it is still important that you convey to the other person that you’ve been listening. Make sure you incorporate the other person’s perspective, reference what they said, and react to their narrative and arguments.
Listening, like any other skill, takes practice and coaching. Ask for feedback after meetings or calls, and really listen to it. It's the only way to get better and more effective at this underrated but very important leadership trait.
Comments