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The Art of Effective Listening

Written by: Roger Ingbretsen

Article Overview: Listening is a very attribute for all of us to have or at the very least be working on. Listening is especially a key skill for individuals in a Leadership role because of the complexities of today's work environment

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The Art of Effective Listening

Listening is rarely if ever taught in schools because educators (along with almost everyone else) assume listening is automatic - it’s like breathing. But effective listening is a skill, which like any other skill is achieved through learning and practice.

Listening takes time or, more accurately, you have to take time to listen. Listening requires the temporary suspension of all unrelated thoughts. In order to become an effective listener, you have to learn to manage what goes on in your own mind. You must in fact learn to listen, so you can listen and learn.

Ten Steps to Effective Listening

1. Listen to learn
2. Face the speaker and maintain eye contact and be attentive.
3. Truly listen to the speaker’s words and try to picture what he/she is saying.
4. Keep an open mind.
5. Don't interrupt.
6. Wait for the speaker to pause to ask clarifying questions.
7. Ask questions only to ensure understanding of something that has been said.
8. Try to walk in the speakers shoes and feel what the speaker is feeling.
9. Give the speaker regular feedback by showing your interest.
Step Ten - Listen to learn!
This is the most important step of all!

Listening helps build relationships, solve problems, ensure understanding, resolve conflicts, and improve accuracy. At work, effective listening means fewer errors and less wasted time. At home, it helps develop resourceful, self-reliant kids who can solve their own problems. Listening builds friendships and careers. It saves money and marriages.

A good mantra to take is found in the words "Where ever you are - be there." It is very easy to get into the mode of multitasking and not taking the time to listen. When at the supper table, be there, not at work. When at work, be there, not at home or on the golf course. When someone is speaking with you a home or at work, be fully engaged in the process. Listen to learn! You will become more effective in your relationships and your career.

Copyright Information:

You MAY reprint the information contained in this article as long as no portion of the contents are modified and it used “exclusively” within your organization. You must also give credit to information by including the tag line...

Roger M. Ingbretsen, Author, Speaker, Leadership Coach, Organizational and career developer For more information, visit www.ingbretsen.com or call 509 999 7008.

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Home > Leadership > Roger Ingbretsen > The Art of Effective Listening
Article Tags: accuracy, clarifying questions, conflicts, copyright information, effective listener, effective listening, eye contact, friendships, golf course, mantra, money, multitasking, relationships, shoes, speakers, supper table, taking the time, time at home, unrelated thoughts

About the Author: Roger Ingbretsen
RSS for Roger's articles - Visit Roger's website

Roger has a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership, from Gonzaga University, a dual undergraduate degree in Economics & Business Administration, from Park University, an AA degree in Business, as well as 1,500 certified hours of training in technical disciplines. He’s had over forty articles, numerous white papers and two books and two eBooks published.

Roger is a member of the International Coaching Federation. Additionally, he has completed many professional training programs attaining numerous certifications, a few of which include: The Harvard Law School “win-win” negotiation process, the Center for Creative Leadership “360-Degree Feedback” evaluation process and “Coach the Coach” program, the Zenger Miller “Team Training Certification Seminar” and “Executive Coaching” practices from the Professional School of Psychology, California. He is also a qualified administrator of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality inventory.

 

 




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