| Your success as a leader depends critically on | | | | is to understand what the person is saying, not to |
| your ability to listen. The majority of information | | | | disagree with every point. There is no point |
| that you use for your decision-making comes | | | | starting an argument if your objective is to listen. |
| from listening. Building rapport, supporting your | | | | Number five. The awake to the possibility that |
| team, the process of being a leader all comes | | | | your personal prejudices may hinder your listening |
| from listening. It has been said that the key to | | | | ability. It is very difficult sometimes to evaluate |
| leadership is to understand and then be | | | | the person rather than what they are saying. |
| understood. In other words, to be a good | | | | However, to ensure good listening you must |
| communicator you first have to learn how to | | | | suppress your personal views and prejudices |
| understand and that is listening. It's very hard to | | | | when you are attempting to find out about |
| get your point of view across if you don't listen | | | | others. |
| first. How many times have you wished that the | | | | Number six. Listen with empathy. Try and put |
| person with whom you're communicating, would | | | | yourself in the other person's position. If you are |
| listen. Here are seven principles of good listening | | | | that person what would it mean to you if you |
| that are used by every effective leader. | | | | were saying the same thing? How important |
| Number one. Stop talking. Let the speaker finish. | | | | would it be? How would it affect you? |
| Even when you are in a very familiar situation, | | | | Number seven. It's important to remember that |
| stop talking and listen. | | | | when people speak or talk about something, they |
| Number two. Relax. All the research clearly shows | | | | often leave bits out. So you have to be alert to |
| that when you are relaxed you are a much | | | | what the person is saying but also work out what |
| better listener. If you are tense and stressed or | | | | the person is not saying. Ask yourself, why would |
| nervous then your listening skills diminish. | | | | you, if you were speaking, leave out the bits the |
| Number three. Show the person you are listening. | | | | other person has left out? It's all about putting |
| This simple tactic puts them at ease. Small | | | | yourself in the other person's position and trying |
| gestures such as nodding your head, eye contact, | | | | to feel what they are feeling. |
| leaning forward and making affirmative sounds all | | | | Effective listening is one of the most important |
| help to show the person that you're listening. Give | | | | leadership skills because without it, leaders cannot |
| the speaker your undivided attention. | | | | function very well. |
| Number four. Your objective in this communication | | | | |