Succeed in Your Career with One Crucial Skill Listening

Succeed in Your Career with One Crucial Skill Listening Your ability to listen is the most critical talent youll need to succeed in your career. However, very few of us listen properly. In fact, most of us dont know how to listen intelligently, systematically, and purposefully. Think about your most recent conversations at work. If you remember what you said better than what you heard, youve probably developed some bad listening habits. Instead of really listening, you let your mind wander while others aretalking. You thinkabout what you aregoing to say next before the others have finished.Faulty listening habits can cause misunderstandings in a busy office. Indeed, many serious mistakes and organizational mix-ups stem from people not hearing instructions. Poor listening can cause people to missimportant appointments, misunderstand directions, misinterpret valuable suggestions, and addressthe wron g problems. Some managers believe they earn up to 60 percent of their salaries simply by listening.The higher a manager is on the corporate ladder, the more time they spend listening to others. Most executive-appraisal studies find that managers who are rated most efficient by subordinates are, invariably, good listeners. In job interviews, many candidates fail to impress managers because they listen so poorly. Hiring managers regard good listening skills as crucial, and use feedback to determine how well candidates listen. Answering questions incorrectly, or failing to grasp an interviewers point, will sound the death knell for manyjob offers.If you think that your listening skills need a tune up, try the following tips1.Stop Interrupting PeopleInterrupting people and finishing their sentences often damages communication. Deliberately try to inhibit your temptations to interrupt. Make sure the speaker has finished conveying theirmessage before you speak.Show the speaker youre genui nely interested and want to listen to them. If you arent sure of the whole message, ask the speaker to repeat or clarify it. Constantly evaluate your own understanding of the message. The most effective way to break the interrupting habit is to apologize every time you interrupt someone.2. Take Time to ListenThe speaker is apt to feel rushed if you indicate your listening time is limited. Many people think aloud and grope toward their meanings. Frequently, initial statements only vaguely approximate what a person means. For the speaker to open up and crystallize their meaning, you have to give them enough time to speak freely.3.Give Your Full AttentionYoull act like a good listener if youre alert, look the speaker in the eye, and texas tea forward. Show your interest by nodding your head or raising your eyebrows, and offer encouragement with comments and questions.4. Adapt Your Thought SpeedYou can think three to four times faster than a person can talk, which is a major reason for poor concentration. Impatient with the speakers slow progress, your mind wanders off until you hear something that interests you. Then you realize youve missed something, and you dont really understand what the person is talking about.To use your thinking speed to full advantage, keep analyzing what the speaker is saying as they talk. Mentally sum up whats been said. Weigh the evidence by considering whether the facts are accurate and the viewpoints are objective, or whether the speaker is only trying to prove a point.5. Dont Overreact to the DeliveryIf you become too involved in a persons speech style, youll lose track of the message. Force yourself to concentrate on their message, not their accent, style of speaking, speech impediment, or disorganized thought pattern.6. Listen Between the LinesConcentrate not only on whats being said, but also on the attitudes, needs, and motives behind the words. Remember that the speakers words may not always contain the entire message. A change in tone or volume may have additional meaning. So may facial expressions, gestures, and body movements. Being alert to nonverbal cues increases your total comprehension of the message.7. Dont Become DistractedPoor listeners can easily get distracted by sounds, objects, and people, such as police sirens, ringtones,or peoplepassing in the hallway. Good listeners position themselves to avoid distractions, or concentrate harder on what the speaker is saying.By following these strategies, you can help yourself become a better listener and a more valuable employee.