The Importance of Being a Good Listener
Are you a good listener? A “real” good listener?
The fact is, most people have to train themselves to be good listeners. And it is not a simple process, because there are so many things that cause people to be bad listeners.
Are you a good listener? Perhaps distracting thoughts make your mind wander, or defensive thoughts cause you to try to find fault with what you’re being told. Perhaps you are only listening for the ammunition that you need to disprove the other person’s opinion, or to prove that they are wrong and you are right. When you are confronted with such blocks to good listening, it takes a concerted effort to become good at listening.
A good way to overcome those inhibitors is to be purposeful in your conversations by cultivating these practices and habits . . .
- Think consciously about the conversations that you are having, while you are having them.
- Engage people so you can fully understand the situation, problem or issue that they are discussing.
- Recognize all the good ideas and opinions that people are expressing highlight them, and “pull them out” for further consideration. Look for those little nuggets of value, and strive to build the conversation around them. You can then dig deeper, build on good ideas, and make suggestions to make them even better.
- Reflect on conversations when they are finished to determine how things could have gone better and differently.
- Make changes during your next conversations and strive to continuously improve your listening and the overall quality of your communications.
When you do these things, it will result in better conversations, deeper relationships and better outcomes. So start looking for the little nuggets of high value during your conversations and use them to stay focused on positive results.
A dynamic, innovative, thoughtful and inspiring leader with 30 years of experience in franchising, distributed networks and cooperatives. Successful history of: (i) turning around a $700 million distressed franchise system into a $2.0 billion revenue business in four years, (ii) reviving and re-energizing a $3.5 billion revenue franchisor and (iii) founding three franchise systems. Experienced corporate board member.
Currently, a consultant to some of the largest franchise systems in North America. A franchise industry leader, widely published, keynote speaker, member of the New England Franchise Association Board, and Co-chair of the International Franchise Associations Knowledge Share Task Force.|A dynamic, innovative, thoughtful and inspiring leader with 30 years of experience in franchising, distributed networks and cooperatives. Successful history of: (i) turning around a $700 million distressed franchise system into a $2.0 billion revenue business in four years, (ii) reviving and re-energizing a $3.5 billion revenue franchisor and (iii) founding three franchise systems. Experienced corporate board member.
Currently, a consultant to some of the largest franchise systems in North America. A franchise industry leader, widely published, keynote speaker, member of the New England Franchise Association Board, and Co-chair of the International Franchise Associations Knowledge Share Task Force.|A dynamic, innovative, thoughtful and inspiring leader with 30 years of experience in franchising, distributed networks and cooperatives. Successful history of: (i) turning around a $700 million distressed franchise system into a $2.0 billion revenue business in four years, (ii) reviving and re-energizing a $3.5 billion revenue franchisor and (iii) founding three franchise systems. Experienced corporate board member.
Latest posts by Evan Hackel (see all)
More Articles by Author
