When you listen to others, you show respect, concern and empathy. Listen to prove that you are open to new ideas and proposals, that you trust your colleagues and that you are genuinely interested in their ideas and thoughts. By listening carefully, you also show you are willing to receive feedback, claims the management.about.com website.
Poor listeners have problems at work and at home
Of course, not only managers struggle with their ability to listen. Husbands, teachers, kids, employees and many other people could be better listeners. Poor listening is often the culprit in both personal and professional problems. Let’s see what the most common reasons for poor listening are.
1) Poor listening as a blind spot
There can be a gap between what we think we do correctly and how good we actually are. What can we do to identify listening as one of our weaknesses? You need honest feedback. Yes, you can still deny that you have a weakness even when someone tells you, but there is no other way. And perhaps when more people tell you the same thing, it may open your eyes.
2) Impatient managers are not good listeners
Highly successful and smart managers often just won’t slow down and listen. They consider it to be such a waste of time. They tend to finish other people's sentences, they use gestures to make others to say what they need to say more quickly and they often multitask and check their smartphones all the time. However, sometimes the best thing you can do is to give the person you are speaking with your full attention. Shut the door and turn off your phone, and then listen. You may find out much more than you usually do.
3) Selective listening
It's very common. Managers listen only when their superiors are talking, and not their direct reports. All they need to do is deploy the same skill regardless of who is speaking to them.
4) Not interested in people
When you don’t see any value in listening to others and paying attention to what they are saying, it is time for you to fake it till you make it. Pretend you are listening. That may not be authentic, but eventually you will learn how to listen to others. Make eye contact, lean forward and keep your arms uncrossed. Encourage the speaker to go on and repeat in your own words what he is saying to make sure you understand.
-jk-