Active listening, as the name implies requires effort. It is much more than simply "hearing" what is being said. This article will show you how to improve your listening skills to make you a better conversationalist, and a more empathetic friend, spouse, parent or partner.
Comprehending: To communicate, we must first understand what the other person (or people) are actually saying.
Retaining: To respond in an appropriate manner, we must understand and retain what the other person has said.
Responding: An active response should show that we understand what the other person has said, have paid attention to their words and also read their non-verbal cues.
Leaders often rise to leadership because they're great talkers. Now it's in the way. You can't connect, communicate or influence without listening. Bad bosses talk. Successful leaders listen. Stop talking about listening. Ouch: I still remember the day I asked my wife if I was a good listener.
The most neglected work of leadership is listening. The reason? It's hard work. If leadership is about others, listening is about leadership. 4 reasons you hate to listen: A squirrel's attention span. Busy leaders look like squirrels caught in traffic. Dripping faucets. Nagging issues drip in the back of your mind.