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Listening DOs and DON'Ts

An essential element of management is the ability to effectively communicate with people.
Improve your listening skills in the workplace!
DOs

  1. Be prepared to listen

  2. Paraphrase what's just been said to ensure you understand

  3. Pay close attention

  4. Show genuine interest

  5. Keep an open mind

  6. Focus on the information, not on the appearance or presentation of the speaker

  7. Ask relevant questions

  8. Clarify objections

  9. Cite similar situations you have experienced to clarify the information's applicability

  10. Take notes of key words or ideas if possible

  11. Consider how what you've heard can benefit you or others

  12. Be aware of your talking to listening ratio – talk less and listen more

EI workshop
DON'Ts

  1. Interrupt the communicator

  2. Change the subject

  3. Zone out or start daydreaming

  4. Complete the communicator's sentences

  5. Make judgments before you hear all the information

  6. Try to write down everything that's being said

  7. Formulate your response while the communicator is still speaking

  8. Perform other tasks while listening

- What is your routine to get prepared to listen?

- How often do you actually listen with true empathy? 

 

This is a real temptation to jump in with some expertise, what we think is helpful advice or offering solutions / suggestions... sometimes however, people just need an ear, an active ear that it :-)!

 

Listening to a person allows them to feel accepted and prized, enabling them to develop a more caring attitude towards themselves and see themselves as a true, whole person.

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While problem-solving can be extremely helpful and beneficial, it is not what the other person needs. When others share their concerns, they simply want to express how they feel and need us to listen, not to help solve their issue. Try it, try listening without problem-solving !

The capacity to successfully communicate in today's environment is a pivotal element to the success of any organization.

As a Lean consultancy, we are passionate about simplicity and Lean is a mindset that we apply in all our areas of activity. Our reward is when we know that we helped you meeting your business objectives, where both management skills and tools play a key role.

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