Devoted to Managers and those that seek to improve their management skills

Last post we talked about listening. Now we must take a look at what it really is. Listening doesn't mean that you sit taking in the words of someone and then as soon as their done talking to you, walk away forgetting what is said.

In other words, listening doesn't mean that you're in the presence of someone talking and hearing the sounds coming out of their mouth.

Listening is the ability to block out, temporarily, all the noise around you and center on what is being communicated. When I say noise I'm speaking of all those things coming at you that need your attention, not sounds.

To effectively do this, you must have some means of taking notes or recording what is being said, especially if things are happening around you that need your attention asap.

Another thing that recording or writing down does for the one communicating to you is showing that you're really paying attention to them and what they have to say, not just trying to let them talk so you can leave to do something else while forgetting what they said. Your workers will know if you're really taking it in.

Also, if things are really hopping, you will, not matter what your intentions, forget what has been talked about, as you must move to other things that need your attention.

To me assuring the one talking that you've heard what they've said, and that you will get back to them on it is the most important thing to do first. Secondly then follow up and do what you've promised: get back with them. Do these couple of things and you'll eliminate the great majority of mountains that arise because they are left to simmer and boil, rather than being released through being truly heard.