In our fast paced culture, listening is a lost art. If you master the skill of listening, you will earn benefits in the workplace and in your family! Really – it’s true!!
In the workplace
The #1 trait that employers look for in an employee is good communication skills. I have observed that “listening” is the most underutilized area in the communication process. We are so busy telling people about ourselves or what we want from people that we don’t listen.
What happens when you listen more?
- You are more likeable.
- You are viewed as a great communicator – yes, just by listening.
- You are more knowledgeable about the person/content
- You show others that you care
In the Family
When my daughters were teenagers, I told my husband that he should say two things and only these two things when our daughters wanted to talk about their current problems.
The 2 statements are:
- I’m here for you.
- I understand.
That’s it. Don’t try to fix the problem or offer advice. Teenagers just want you to listen and men typically want to fix the problem. By saying those two statements, my husband would show that he cared and would listen. I’ve also taught these two statements to the students in my college communication classes. When students use these statements, they are surprised with the positive communication results!
If you have a desire to serve others, listening is a powerful way to serve! You can serve in the workplace and in your family just by listening! Practice the art of listening starting today!
