The Vital Art of Listening
Recently, I came across an article titled, “The New Rules of Executive Presence,” in the Harvard Business Review. Traditionally, leaders have been expected to “know it all” when they step into their position, but the article observes a shift in leaders today, placing an emphasis on continued learning and growth. The article defines this concept as “listen to learn” orientation in which leaders listen and learn from others before making decisions. I truly resonate with this concept and consider myself to be a life-long learner, as it gives me energy to strive to be a leader that continues to grow and evolve.
Listening is something that many of us do without a second thought. But have you ever thought about whether you would be considered a ‘good listener’? In business, at home, and simply in life, listening is a vital art. You may be asking yourself, what defines a good listener? Body language and verbal cues such as nodding heads and commenting to show understanding are qualities that come to mind for some, but there is more to being a good listener than just showing attentiveness. A good listener creates a space where the other person feels comfortable and safe sharing information, without judgment. This is demonstrated by giving the other person full undivided attention without sense of hurry. Most importantly, a good listener is demonstrated through one’s ability to understand another person mentally and emotionally. This is done by actively listening and interpreting what the other person is saying, while also observing their physical cues, such as their hands, tapping foot, facial expression, the tone, and speed of their voice.
There’s no dress rehearsal for listening. With each day comes opportunities to practice and improve upon listening skills through all human interactions. The benefits of attaining good listener status are overwhelmingly fulfilling. As a mom, wife, friend, a neighbor, co-worker, and even stranger, I strive to be a good listener in all aspects of my life, because I believe the work is worth the reward.
In no particular order, below is a listing of benefits that I’ve found to be the most rewarding.
- Understanding different perspectives
- Building trust
- Resolving conflicts
- Improving relationships
- Enhancing productivity
- Fostering empathy
- Gaining knowledge
- Showing respect
- Avoiding misunderstandings
- Making better decisions