Summary:
In this article it stresses the importance of good listening skills, especially in today's remote work environment, where job switching is rampant and nonverbal cues cannot be picked up. Becoming a good listener is a lifetime endeavor, but even small improvements can have a big impact on communication effectiveness. Active listening, including cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects, is crucial for understanding and conveying interest, engagement, and caring to the other person. The article breaks down the subskills of active listening into two groups: the picking-up skills and staying mentally present in the conversational moment. It provides recommendations for each of these subskills, which include hearing, auditory processing, reading body language, tone of voice, and social cues accurately, as well as maintaining attention and regulating emotional response. The article also gives tips for becoming a better listener, such as repeating the other person's last few words, avoiding interruptions or changing the subject, minimizing distractions, and monitoring emotions. The article concludes that listening is important, physically and mentally taxing, and becoming more difficult due to the aftermath of COVID-19.
Here are some key points:
Good listening skills are essential in today's remote work environment.
Employers who don't listen to their employees may see higher turnover rates.
Listening is a universally praised skill, but it is rarely explicitly taught or coached.
Active listening involves both cognitive and emotional aspects.
Active listening subskills include picking up on auditory and nonverbal cues, staying mentally present, integrating information, and performing active listening.
Tips for becoming a better listener include repeating the other person's last few words, asking open-ended questions, avoiding interrupting, and minimizing distractions.
Good listening is important physically and mentally and is becoming more difficult due to the aftermath of COVID-19.
Even minor improvements in active listening can have a big impact on communication effectiveness.
Leaders need to be good listeners to understand and convey interest, engagement, and caring to their employees.
If active listening is truly difficult for you, you may want to consult a doctor.
How does this fit in the Hierarchy of Agency?
Find Power in LOVE AND CONNECTION! Listening is very important, not just for work but for creating deep and meaningful relationships. It is important to make great connections and this only happens by focusing on what you do for them!
Learn More About The Hierarchy of Agency Here!
Want to Learn More? Check our Source!