Show Off Your Listening Skills
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My last blog article discussed active listening — and why it is so frequently an underdeveloped skill, despite its importance for professional success. Today, I explore the different ways to demonstrate that you possess this crucial skill, and that you know how to put it to work.
Distractions in the workplace are everywhere: emails constantly arrive, the telephone always seems to ring at the worst moment, the instant messenger notifications never stop, and a steady stream of colleagues pass by with “quick questions”. Being able to concentrate on a colleague in this environment can be a real challenge — and, consequently, a way to set yourself apart from others who are more prone to distraction.
The more you are able to demonstrate your ability to listen deeply, the more you will become a privileged confidant — which can be a major asset at work. What follows are some key ways to demonstrate that your colleagues can rely upon you for your excellent listening skills.
Keep your mobile phone out of sight. Despite your best intentions, if you look at your phone even once while someone is trying to speak with you, you demonstrate that you are not giving them 100% of your attention. Forget about your phone for just a few minutes and focus fully on the person in front of you. If you are facing a true emergency, be sure to tell the person at the outset of the conversation, so that they can understand why you need exceptionally to keep your mobile within sight.
Keep your eyes on the person in front of you. The person who is speaking to you is fully focused on you and getting their message across to you. If you become distracted and look elsewhere — even for a second — they will notice immediately. You do not want to go to the other extreme, either — staring the other person directly in the eyes for the entire duration of the conversation — but you should be able to avoid letting your eyes wander to whatever is happening around you.
Ask relevant questions. What is the key message the other person is trying to convey? Why does it interest them, and what is the reason they are consulting you? Ask questions based on these criteria, rather than on your simple curiosity. In this way, you demonstrate that you understand their priorities and that you are trying to help them.
Let listening take precedence over advice. Often, when someone wants to speak with you, they are simply trying to find someone who will listen. Talking about a challenging situation with others is one way to think out loud and to organise one’s thoughts —in other words, the other person is not necessarily looking for a response or a piece of advice. Leave the person the time to fully express themselves before responding. Analyse what they are saying in order to determine what they are looking for. Instead of advice, perhaps they are looking for sympathy, affirmation, or your reassurance that they have your support.
Like all skills, your capacity for effective listening can be developed. In a world where everyone is encouraged to do multiple things at once, as soon as you start to practice this important competency, you can set yourself apart from many of your peers.
What competencies could you develop in order to take your performance to the next level? Contact Jon Passaro here to explore. If you want to know more about his background and qualifications, take a look here.