Active Listening
"My manager listens to and values my ideas"
Are you a great listener?
Everyone wants their manager to value their ideas, and to be a good listener. It’s a
two-way street. Think about your listening skills and habits.
One of the best ways to get others to value your opinions is by listening to theirs.
If you are in a situation
that makes you question whether or not your ideas are valued, consider ways to
acknowledge others’ ideas and recognize their contributions. This is a
great exercise and it may also help you discover new insights about the way you
communicate and are perceived by others.
One exercise that was recently suggested in our office is called mindful
listening. Its very simple to understand but very difficult to do
consistently. All you have to is wait. Three... Little...Seconds.
The exercise is as follows:
Whenever you are with someone, simply wait three long beats (one Mississippi,
two Mississippi, three Mississippi) before you speak. No exceptions.
It forces you to focus and pay closer attention to what your colleague is
saying. And here's the kicker-- if you are angry or upset, you have to
count to six.
Try it and let us know how it goes for you.