HOW TO KEEP YOUR ORGANIZATION HEALTHY THROUGH EFFECTIVE LISTENING


Let’s recall the last point on this subject of listening from Dr Hans Finzel's "TOP TEN WAYS TO BE A GREAT LEADER": Nothing stops the progress of an organization more quickly than leaders failing to listen. Followers want to communicate with their leaders. If you fail to listen to them, their very effectiveness and job satisfaction will be in jeopardy. You don’t have to agree with them, but they need to know that they were heard.

How do you feel if you were listened to? I feel ...

1. I am important – instead of unimportant.

2. I am an essential part of the team – instead of marginalized.

3. I matter to my boss – instead of a waste of time trying.

4. I am visible – instead of invisible.

5. My voice is respected – instead of my opinions are not respected.

6. I am respected – instead of I am not respected.

7. I matter – instead of I have nothing to contribute.

8. Real change is coming – instead of nothing is going to change.

Here are some action points for your leadership breakthrough in listening:

1. Sharpen your listening skills with feedback – Ask people, “Hey, how would you rate me as a listener on a scale of one to ten?” And once they give you the number, ask: “Please tell me why you gave me that score. And tell me how I can do a better job of listening.” When they tell you, please don’t be defensive.

2. Try feeding back to people what they said to you – Remember, communication is not a one-way street. It is not about giving out information – it is about getting through. Test to see if what you are hearing is what they are saying. The best way to be sure is to say, “Okay, let me tell you what I just heard you say,” and simply say it back to them. They can either agree or correct your understanding.

3. There is no substitute for face time with your team – Sometimes, you really have to have personal, one-to-one face time with your people. As much as I love technology, there are times when we really need to sit down with people. A friend of mine who is a consultant was just fired by a client this morning. He asked me what I think happened – I was the one who got him the gig. I said, “I really think the client did not know you as a person. You spent no time alone building the relationship. It was all business, and the only time you saw the client was in meetings.” My friend’s client misunderstood and lacked trust in him because their relationship was never solidified over some good old-fashioned face time. Be sensitive to times when you need to have a direct face-to-face conversation with a member of your team.

4. Consume a regular diet of resources that help you grow – read great books and articles, and listen to CDs and podcasts. Constantly sharpen your leadership game. Doctors, nurses and all sorts of medical practitioners have to go to continuing medical education throughout their careers. They can’t just graduate and say they’re done – they have to keep their skills sharp for the rest of their lives. The same thing applies to leadership.

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Digesting this article is awesome, however, deciding and acting on it will make the difference in your leadership drive.

Wouldn’t you start today?

To your success,

Bright UK
The Chief Scribe

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