How to Get Your Observation Skills Up to Speed
Natalie Nixon, PhD
Top 50 Keynote Speakers in the World | Helping Leaders Apply Creativity's ROI for Inspired Business Results | Creativity Strategist | Advisor | Author
Developing your capacity for observation is a critical skill. If you want to take your work to the next level, consider working on improving your observation skills.?
The following methods are easy to employ and can be incredibly valuable.
Be Present
Before stepping into an encounter with a client, take a moment to clear your mind. Make yourself as mentally available as possible.
Take a Mental Inventory
Scan the area you’ve just entered and look for anything that stands out. For example, you might take notice of the way the individual is sitting, the layout of the space, or the tone in the client’s voice upon greeting one another.
Pinpoint Meaningful Totems
Take notice of anything the client might find important and try to connect based on that item. You might observe that the client is wearing a specific piece of jewelry or they’ve taken a comfort object with them.
Reflect
Even after completing the observation, it’s a good idea to explore your thoughts and recollections to evaluate the experience. Reflect on how the appointment went to notice things you may have missed.
Developing your observation skills to be as sharp as possible will help you perform at your very best!