The Five Biggest Listening Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Career
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The Five Biggest Listening Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Career
Excellent listeners, regardless of their job function, brand themselves as leaders. Poor listeners can damage their careers and never no why. Don't let these five listening mistakes hurt your chance for success:
By: Allie Casey
Excellent listeners, regardless of their job function, brand themselves as leaders. Poor listeners can damage their careers and never no why. Don't let these five listening mistakes hurt your chance for success:
By: Allie Casey
Mistake #1. Judging instead of focusing. Where do you put your focus when others are speaking to you? Are you mentally criticizing their clothing or appearance instead of listening? Are you judging their speech patterns, accent, presentation or mannerisms instead of listening to the message?
This behavior sends the message that you don't like this person. You tune out their entire communication before he or she utters a word.
Instead, focus on the value of the content he or she is providing. Suspend your judgment for a short time and you might learn something helpful or important.
Mistake #2. Making assumptions. Do you frequently finish people's sentences? Do you use phrases such as "I know that already" before you have heard a complete sentence?
The message you send is, "I know more than you do, so let me help you out." This is not only rude behavior but it will brand you as a "know it all."
Instead, listen patiently, ask clarifying questions and paraphrase the speaker's words. Seek to understand the speaker and their message before making suppositions. This positive behavior will brand you as an excellent collaborator.
Mistake #3. Correcting and disagreeing. Do you jump in to say, "the problem with that is" or "that won't work" before the speaker has even completed a thought? Do you constantly interrupt to set him or her straight?
At first glance the message here is over-confidence when really the cause is low self-esteem.
Instead, listen entirely until the speaker finishes. You may be missing a key point you hadn't considered. If you do disagree, calmly state your position. Vow to place learning over the need to be right.
Mistake #4. Impatient behavior. Are you guilty of foot tapping, looking over your speaker's shoulder to see what else is going on or checking your watch?
Clearly you are sending a message that says my time is more important than your time. Superiority is not the behavior of a leader.
Instead practice listening basics. Use eye contact, a head nod or two and non-verbal gestures to encourage the speaker to continue.. Brand yourself as a leader with superior listening skills.
Mistake #5. Reacting to a single point ignoring the whole message. Do you find yourself responding emotionally to trigger words or phrases dismissing the entire message before it is delivered?
The message here is, "don't waste my time; I've made up my mind."
Instead become known as a fair person who listens with an open mind. Create a safe place for people to share information, ideas and opinions.
Learn to develop your listening skills and you'll become know as a great communicator.
This behavior sends the message that you don't like this person. You tune out their entire communication before he or she utters a word.
Instead, focus on the value of the content he or she is providing. Suspend your judgment for a short time and you might learn something helpful or important.
Mistake #2. Making assumptions. Do you frequently finish people's sentences? Do you use phrases such as "I know that already" before you have heard a complete sentence?
The message you send is, "I know more than you do, so let me help you out." This is not only rude behavior but it will brand you as a "know it all."
Instead, listen patiently, ask clarifying questions and paraphrase the speaker's words. Seek to understand the speaker and their message before making suppositions. This positive behavior will brand you as an excellent collaborator.
Mistake #3. Correcting and disagreeing. Do you jump in to say, "the problem with that is" or "that won't work" before the speaker has even completed a thought? Do you constantly interrupt to set him or her straight?
At first glance the message here is over-confidence when really the cause is low self-esteem.
Instead, listen entirely until the speaker finishes. You may be missing a key point you hadn't considered. If you do disagree, calmly state your position. Vow to place learning over the need to be right.
Mistake #4. Impatient behavior. Are you guilty of foot tapping, looking over your speaker's shoulder to see what else is going on or checking your watch?
Clearly you are sending a message that says my time is more important than your time. Superiority is not the behavior of a leader.
Instead practice listening basics. Use eye contact, a head nod or two and non-verbal gestures to encourage the speaker to continue.. Brand yourself as a leader with superior listening skills.
Mistake #5. Reacting to a single point ignoring the whole message. Do you find yourself responding emotionally to trigger words or phrases dismissing the entire message before it is delivered?
The message here is, "don't waste my time; I've made up my mind."
Instead become known as a fair person who listens with an open mind. Create a safe place for people to share information, ideas and opinions.
Learn to develop your listening skills and you'll become know as a great communicator.
If you would like more tips and techniques on communicating and listening go to www.listeningskillssuccess.com and claim a FREE Listening Skills Assessment and report instantly. I'm guessing you'll find a few 'aha' moments while you're taking this short evaluation.
Allie Casey, workplace communications speaker, trainer, and coach helps business people decrease misunderstandings, increase confidence and be more productive. Let Allie bring fun, enthusiasm and experience to you next meeting. Contact Allie at www.alliecasey.com only if you want more cooperation and fewer headaches.
Allie Casey, workplace communications speaker, trainer, and coach helps business people decrease misunderstandings, increase confidence and be more productive. Let Allie bring fun, enthusiasm and experience to you next meeting. Contact Allie at www.alliecasey.com only if you want more cooperation and fewer headaches.
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