Many
people in the business world take classes in the art of verbal communication:
how to give a speech, make a presentation, chair a meeting, but the other half
of the equation -- listening -- gets scant attention, at least until now.
1.
Focus closely on the person speaking. Don't half-listen while you check your
messages and schedule conferences. At any meeting -- a conference or a
departmental review -- be there in full. Otherwise, you are likely to miss
something.
2.
Listen carefully for things you don't know. Our brains home in on what's
familiar because it's easy and comfortable, and it reassures us of our
intelligence. But that's no way to learn anything. Listen for new information,
discontinuities, things you didn't know but could learn from. If there's
nothing to be gained from this strategy, you may be in the wrong meeting.
3.
Challenge yourself and what you hear. Don't just nod and accept it as a given.
Ask yourself: What do I know that confirms this? What do I know that
contradicts it? Let your head play an active role.
4. Be
prepared to change your mind. I used to think everything about computers was
wonderful; now I am not so sure. If we listen hard and ask ourselves good
questions, we may take our thoughts to places we didn't expect.
5. If
you find sitting still difficult, then either take notes or doodle or both. My
wife is a fantastic artist and has painted some amazing works. In particular painting the canvas of
the great artist Edward Hopper. She has volumes of works done for family and
friends. Some of us aren't so gifted -- but we can doodle. All the evidence
shows that both help you focus. And if you aren't focused -- why are you there?
The
skills of listening are really life skills: treasuring the precious and always
limited time that you have. Why waste it?
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