How open are you to really listening? By that I mean – you are in a conversation – you have a point to make – are your comments influenced by the discussion at hand – or do you just plow ahead and make them regardless?
Think on it.
How many times have you been in a presentation when it’s been clear that you are “going down a rat hole,” meaning that what’s being presented is wrong, of no interest, and sometimes even pissing people off – and yet someone keeps pushing the agenda – doesn’t stop talking – plows ahead, damning the torpedoes of reality?
Happens all the time. You have sat with people, wondering why someone in your group was oblivious to the obvious signs of disagreement or discomfort from others – yet kept chattering away as if oblivion was deep knowledge.
And so it goes. Rather than listen to the rhythm, the heartbeat, the essence of the situation we sometimes only listen to others’ words or worse…our own agenda. You have heard the expressions, “talking at cross purposes,” “talking across each other” – that is because no one is listening.
Think of all the ways this plays out.
Business and personal.
Listen:
There are people who, instead of listening to what is being said to them, are already listening to what they are going to say themselves. ~Albert Guinon
And there you have it.
It’s the bank sending you multiple credit card applications when they have just turned you down for a mortgage; it’s Amazon sending you more books on organic gardening for total self- sustenance – when you live on the 33rd floor of a major urban high-rise because you bought a birthday book on the subject for your aging hippy uncle; it’s the car company pushing a gas-guzzling SUV when you have just bought an electric car…you get the picture.
And, of course, there is this little video about the subject – which I am sure many of you have already seen:
Your thoughts?
Several years ago, NBC had a retired General on the Today show. He was talking about leadership. Interstingly, he said the best leaders were introverts. Katie Couric looked puzzled. He explained . . . \intoverts are better listeners.\
David, thanks for your insights.
Steve H.
Several years ago, NBC had a retired General on the Today show. He was talking about leadership. Interestingly, he said the best leaders were introverts. Katie Couric looked puzzled. He explained . . . \introverts are better listeners.\
David, thanks for your insights.
Steve H.
When talking strategy with clients, particularly new or prospective clients, it is always wise to get them talking first so that their perspective, pain points, objectives, and biases are revealed. This invariably increases our knowledge (read: lessens our ignorance reduces our misconceptions), identifies the decision-making power structure, and lets us position our offering to match what the client wants to buy. We aim to partner, not dictate, and partnership is grounded in dialogue. Since the client is paying the bills it is our job to listen for their need(s). There will be plenty of time later to impress them with our thinking.
How to create a good listener?
Remark to them that they are a good listener. They will proudly conform to this almost immediately and improve the skill.
I learnt this from an old professor who often had trouble with uppity young grad students.
Tom.
If you are interesting enough . People would listen to you , its clear. If you succed to catch their attention with your speech , they would listen. Everything is all about the communicating skills .
I think everyone, or at least almost everyone, can be a good listener. Survival is about knowing (sensing) what’s going on, and responding accordingly. The question for me is about why so many ‘corporate people’ of my experience are not doing this – before putting their foot in their mouth, or proving how ‘know it all’ they are. Tom – gulp, me too sometimes.
I really thank to one who wrote this article. I have always been reading and writing texts like this in blogs. Also, I, as a daily writer, present my respects to everyone. I just watched videos like this in youtube izle. I research in all areas.
I think people must first research before writing…