Member-only story
We Know The Usual Blah Why Listening Is So Valuable
Here are 8 other reasons why you should look at your listening skills as a great tool for better living and working
This morning I read in the news this quote by the Swiss journalist and publicist Frank A. Meyer in a conversation with a media outlet talking about world affairs:
“I am interested in what I do not think myself”.
He recommends us to dare more curiosity, curiosity also about the opinion of the other.
Dare to be curious. This involves listening to others.
Listening is a virtue. We know it, we heard it, we read about it everywhere.
Through listening, we learn. That includes listening to others but also to yourself, your gut, inner voice, or instinct.
Yet, we find it difficult to listen.
Active listening is a difficult skill to master. Most people are terrible at listening. They skip this step and start talking.
Frank A. Meyer’s thinking goes along with what the Dalai Lama told us already a long time ago:
“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.” — The Dalai Lama
Do you dare to be curious and listen?
We know this about listening as a leadership skill
Listening to your employees helps to generate new ideas, to foster engagement and initiative.
Bob Chapman of Barry Wehmiller sees listening as a critical leadership quality for better operations in organizations.
“True, empathetic listening, where you actually hear the other person’s words and feelings, is the kind of listening that builds empathy. And that, in turn, allows us to see things from the perspective of others. That’s the key to all meaningful relationships because it shows that you respect and care about the person you’re listening to.”
When colleagues or bosses listen to their people, they become more relaxed, more aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and more open to…
