S5E8: Great Leaders are Active Listeners

“Learning how to listen effectively is a critical part of communication and building stronger connections.” Peter Margaritis  Being an active listener creates many advantages in life and work. However, mastering the art of active listening is easier said than done. Active listeners pay attention to what others are saying without thinking about how they will respond or how the conversation might affect them. They listen to a big difference in what the other person is saying – not what they hear. We can all become more active listeners. Here are three essential tips to consider as you work toward becoming a more active listener – and communicator! Listening = Communication Communication is an essential part of any relationship, whether personal or professional, so learning how to listen effectively is a critical part of communication and building stronger connections. Without communication, there would be no relationships. Active listening skills are learned, not innate The keys to becoming a great listener are awareness and practice. A common mistake in conversations is getting caught up in what we want to say – instead of listening to what the other person is saying. So instead of just waiting for your turn to speak, spend more time actively listening. Then respond when you've genuinely heard what's being said. There's no easy shortcut to learning active listening skills. However, what you can do right away is to PAUSE in a conversation and consider what the other person is expressing with thoughts and ideas. Respond by asking questions. Let them talk. Make eye contact. Repeat what you think you heard and get their affirmation that you listened to what they said – not what you wanted to hear. The more you practice these skills professionally and personally during your conversations, the better you'll get at them! When you're in conversation with someone, your natural tendency might be to formulate your response while they're still talking. So instead of making any judgment or addition based on your assumptions, f