The Power of Listening Well
Great speakers know how to be heard. Great communicators know how to be heard AND how to listen well. Listening well is more than just hearing what others have to say. There is an opportunity through the power of “listening well” that many leaders miss. It is the opportunity to make a significant impact on and through others.
The impact of listening well
Listening well provides the opportunity to:
- Hear beyond the words. Listening well is a skill that enables us to hear what a speaker is saying and what the speaker is communicating without words. We take in the body language and other subtle and non-verbal cues that communicate more than just what is being said.
- Make an impact on the speaker. We can impact someone’s life by making them feel valued and understood. When we take the time to listen attentively, it tells that person they are important and we value what they have to say.
- Drive a better outcome. We enjoy better collaboration and engagement when we listen well. We eliminate assumptions and guesses and respond to exactly what is said. This enables interdependency, win-win solutions, and the discovery of “the 3rd best” option. That means my idea and your idea will lead us to a third and better idea.
These are just a few of the many benefits of listening in a way that we, as leaders, can do more than simply hearing what is being said. This is a skill that has to be learned and practiced to get good at it.
How to Listen Well
The following actions will help us get well on our way to becoming strategic listeners.
- Maintain Focused Attention.
We cannot listen well while multitasking. We must give our full attention.
It’s also impossible to give focused attention if we are planning what to say next while the person is speaking. We cannot listen well, if we are impatiently waiting our turn to speak. If it’s important enough, it’s worth the time and focus.
- Practice Active listening
Practice active listening by asking clarifying questions and repeating what we heard for confirmation. We should use facial expressions (raised eyebrow, smile) and other auditory feedback (ohhh, Umm-mmm) to communicate we are listening and following.
Active listening is not interrupting the speaker. While frequent interruptions of the speaker may be a norm in some cultures, interruption says that “I have something better to add than what you are saying.” We must resist the temptation to add our opinions, thoughts, or solutions while listening.
- Be Aware of Body positioning
Face the speaker and make eye contact, if possible, to communicate attention. Be aware though that a constant stare can be intimidating. Break up eye contact every so often to maintain a safe atmosphere.
Leaning forward slightly to the speaker is a welcoming cue. On the other hand, while crossed arms are a position of comfort for us, it’s a defensive position. We should, therefore, uncross our arms to be inviting and listen well to the speaker.
- Read the Non-Verbal Cues
This is a key pillar of empathy. It means having the ability to understand another person at the heart level and from their perspective. Non-verbal communication is often more powerful and authentic in understanding a person’s true feelings.
Listen to the voice. Does it sound strong and confident, fearful and hesitant, or nervous and shaky?
Observe the facial expressions and other body language (shifty eyes, uneasiness, stance). These are all elements used to get the complete message.
We may hear when others speak to us. However, we don’t all listen well. It takes intentionality to listen well. Leaders who want to be memorable and impactful, empathetic and compassionate must learn to listen well.
Do you believe you are a great listener? Try this quiz to get a feel for how well you listen.
Practice, practice and practice to increase the skill of listening well. The more you practice, the better muscle memory you will develop to become a great communicator.
Empowered Leader Reflection
How intentional are you about listening well to those in your circle of influence?
What’s your experience with listening well? Share with us below for our journey of growth.
Photo Credit: Pexels.com
