19 Apr 2013 Listening Challenge – April
On January 4, I recommended making one small change per month this year to become one of the best listeners in your organization and reap the rewards of better collaboration, higher trust, and improved teamwork.
If you’ve been participating, then pat yourself on the back because you are already one-quarter of the way there. If not, please join us now. It’s never too late. Just jump in and enjoy the adventure.
The challenge for March was to “Focus. Look at the speaker, or imagine the speaker’s face if you are on the phone. Maintain eye contact. Concentrate on what he or she is saying.”
How did you do? Pop over to (http://jenniferselbylong.com/?p=573) and let me know how it went.
Now, your listening challenge for April, if you are willing to accept it, is this:
“Suspend judgment. Don’t think about whether you agree or disagree while the person is still talking. This leads to thinking about what you will say in response while the other person is talking, which is the opposite of listening. If you feel your mind formulating a response while he or she is still talking, bring your attention back and say, ‘Could you repeat that?’”
Let me know how it’s going, share your thoughts, and ask your questions any time at: http://jenniferselbylong.com/?p=573.