We often get in our way when trying to help our clients or customers because we don’t listen well. Listening is where it all starts.
When you’re in a conversation, how often are you thinking:
- What you’ll say next?
- You already know the solution for the problem?
- What you’ll be having for lunch or dinner?
When you’re listening more to your own thoughts than the person speaking, you’re missing the conversation and eroding trust (the person likely knows you’re not listening).
Listening is often taken for granted. It’s not a passive skill. If you think it is then you’re not listening, you’re probably just hearing. Hearing is not the same as listening.
Hearing is the anatomical part (i.e., sounds waves entering your ear). Listening is what you do with the sound once it enters your ear (your filters, what you’re thinking, etc). Note: I’m not a Doctor but I have been to one.
So, what you’re thinking influences what you hear. Think about a time when you’ve been physically (hearing) present in a conversation as opposed to mentally (listening) present. This is what I mean.
Give listening a try in your next conversation, you might learn a lot. If you’re looking for more about listening, see 21 Resources to Become a Better Listener
What Do You Think?
- Do you think a lack of listening is getting in our way?
- Have you received different experiences when you listened?
- Do you ever think you have the solution before hearing the problem
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