We all know how important listening is in our work. We have witnessed clients’ relief when they experience our listening to them, sometimes even discovering that this was all that was needed.
I was never taught HOW to listen, just that it is important.
There are ways that we can intentionally practice that will improve this essential ability, but first I want to make some general observations.
We are always listening for something - a cause, an explanation, an understanding, resistance, a diagnosis … and we can also listen for resources and solutions.
We are always listening from a position - as an expert, being right, classifying … and we can also listen from a position of humility, curiosity and expectancy.
We are always listing with a style - of intellect, empathy or intuition.
There is a lot more to explore about listening and for the moment, I invite us all to play with listening for solutions, from expectancy and with intuition … and … any time we are out of sync with a client to reflect on our listening experience.
Please leave a comment about what you discover.
It is interesting to read this viewpoint on listening. It brings to memory the biblical story of Samuel being told to respond to a voice in the night by saying "Speak lord thy servant heareth. (King James Version).
In further studies a more accurate translation from the Hebrew has been found as "Speak Lord thy Servant is listening". This subtle change of words creates a different meaning to what is better. When we are in conversation with someone, we are listening to them as they speak while in the background we may hear the noise of traffic. Much like as a young child my mother had called me a number of times to the dinner table and on the last call I said "I hear you" and she responded"Yes but are you listening".
How nice that this post brought back so many memories which now underpin the accuracy and effect of Listening
Thanks Rob