Effective Listening Does Not Mean Being Silent
While there are man qualities and traits that an effective leader must either possess or learn to use, one of the key ones is to be an effective listener.
However, many individuals misconstrue that to mean saying nothing, while that is far from the truth.
Effective leadership begins with someone really caring and showing empathy, and therefore having an earnest desire to fully understand the needs and concerns of his constituents.
Many unprepared individuals adopt an attitude or are concerned about getting questions or objections from others, while all great leaders would prefer having constituents that are at least involved and concerned enough to want answers.
Merely because someone has concerns does not mean they are trying to undermine a leader, but if someone in leadership has that attitude or point of view, he does not move forward In a meaningful manner.
1.
An effective listener does not interrupt or prejudge any challenging position or viewpoint.
He does not merely hear what someone else says, but uses his efforts to attempt to understand fully what is meant.
When he is unsure of, or has some question about what is meant by what is said or not said, he asks directed, meaningful and purposeful questions.
He asks questions, not because he wants to appear interested, or wants to hear his own voice, but because he wants to better understand the real meaning of what someone says.
Great leaders don't fall into the trap of interspersing their perspective, but empathically listen and care what others say and mean.
2.
When someone who does not fully grasp what effective listening should achieve and stand for, he often falls into the procrastination trap.
When someone fears objections, he often avoids taking timely action, and the result is invariably negative for an organization.
Great leaders truly lead, because while they care about what others say and feel, they do not merely change their positions for the purpose of being more popular or less confronted.
Unless someone listens carefully enough to ask compelling questions, and makes every effort to maximize his understanding, he will never be a real leader.
The listening is not merely an exercise, but rather a step by step, forward looking attempt, to maximize understanding, and make the group more relevant and sustainable.
Listening does not mean merely letting someone else speak and hearing what they say, but probing into what it means and what others want and may be concerned about.
Are you willing to both listen and hear?
However, many individuals misconstrue that to mean saying nothing, while that is far from the truth.
Effective leadership begins with someone really caring and showing empathy, and therefore having an earnest desire to fully understand the needs and concerns of his constituents.
Many unprepared individuals adopt an attitude or are concerned about getting questions or objections from others, while all great leaders would prefer having constituents that are at least involved and concerned enough to want answers.
Merely because someone has concerns does not mean they are trying to undermine a leader, but if someone in leadership has that attitude or point of view, he does not move forward In a meaningful manner.
1.
An effective listener does not interrupt or prejudge any challenging position or viewpoint.
He does not merely hear what someone else says, but uses his efforts to attempt to understand fully what is meant.
When he is unsure of, or has some question about what is meant by what is said or not said, he asks directed, meaningful and purposeful questions.
He asks questions, not because he wants to appear interested, or wants to hear his own voice, but because he wants to better understand the real meaning of what someone says.
Great leaders don't fall into the trap of interspersing their perspective, but empathically listen and care what others say and mean.
2.
When someone who does not fully grasp what effective listening should achieve and stand for, he often falls into the procrastination trap.
When someone fears objections, he often avoids taking timely action, and the result is invariably negative for an organization.
Great leaders truly lead, because while they care about what others say and feel, they do not merely change their positions for the purpose of being more popular or less confronted.
Unless someone listens carefully enough to ask compelling questions, and makes every effort to maximize his understanding, he will never be a real leader.
The listening is not merely an exercise, but rather a step by step, forward looking attempt, to maximize understanding, and make the group more relevant and sustainable.
Listening does not mean merely letting someone else speak and hearing what they say, but probing into what it means and what others want and may be concerned about.
Are you willing to both listen and hear?
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