Agile Business Navigator

This is NOT my first website attempt at blogging. I ventured into this way back before the web was graphical, but let it drop away because of how difficult it was to keep up with my entries. Now that there are numerous software products, tools and websites available to make it easier, I'm pursuing it again. Thanks to Hal Macomber for sparking my interest.

It never ceases to amaze me. Someone says a tiny little comment to me and my mind begins to churn the comment around and around. I think of great ideas surrounding it, an article, a coaching program, a solution to the problem they are experiencing. I let it stew for awhile to let the flavors blend together. Invariably, within just a few days, I see magazines, website devoted to the very subject.

In this case, a person I met complained that no one listened to him. In his work, his personal life, every person he encountered, in his mind, failed to listen to him. I'm magazine shopping (a favorite pastime for me), and what do I find, but an entire magazine devoted to listening. NetworkingTimes, May 2003 issue is devoted to Communication, in particular, listening.

One of the articles is entitled Listening 101, 201, 301…. It talks of a woman who makes a habit of listening to everyone. She even listens to the safety presentations flight attendence give during the beginning of a flight. I wonder if the man who can't get people to listen actually spends time listening. Perhaps that's his block to getting others to listen.

Do you listen intently as people speak or do you let your mind wander to your grocery list and your to do list and what you'll have for lunch at the cafeteria? What does it really mean when we listen? Listening isn't the simple act of opening your ears and letting the words flow in one ear and out the other. Our mind needs to process the words it hears. Listening means not making up your mind about what the person is saying for them. It means asking questions to tease out the actual meaning. It means paraphrasing the words back to the communicator to ensure we understand the true meaning of what the person is communicating to us. It means not dominating the conversation with "me too" comments and "I have one better than that" comments.

Do you actually listen to those around you enough? Do you interrupt others to make your point? Do your children and/or spouse tell you, "just listen to me"? Make tomorrow your listening day. When people are communicating with you, take the time to listen to what they have to say. Ask as few questions as possible, really listen. At the end of the day, think about how this changed the way you communicate with people. What did you learn by really listening? I think you'll be surprised at what you learn about yourself and your ability to communicate.

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