Make A New Ears Resolution

It's that time of year again--when we make New Year's resolutions. Often they revolve around dieting, exercise, weight loss and financial goals.

While pursuing those achievements, I recommend that we add another approach:

A New Ears Resolution

A resolution about how we use our ears will become more than a resolution. We'll launch an amazing revolution. Consider what genuine, empathetic listening would accomplish.

Family

When I was directing a communication seminar for Mississippi attorneys, one participant said: "I've handled more than five hundred divorce cases. In every one of those, without exception, I heard 'he or she doesn't listen.' Often both mates expressed that frustration."

Imagine the relationship revolution if spouses listened to each other and to their children, and children really paid attention to parental advice and to their siblings. The proverbial "home, sweet home" could emerge.

Coaches and Consultants

Globally recognized professional speaker Terry Brock became one of my first mentors when I joined the National Speakers Association. How clearly I remember Terry evaluating my new audio CD. "Good material, but sounds like you're reading it."

Ouch! His response stung. What if I had instructed my ears to ignore his evaluation? Fortunately, I listened to his response and eventually became far more spontaneous and conversational in my presentations--which as a Speech Coach I guide my clients to achieve.

Customers

Hearing our customers and implementing their recommendations elevates our service level and our credibility.

Employees

Your employees will tell you how to boost morale and productivity. From your executive office, you most likely can't observe accurately all that's happening beyond the board room. Ask--and keep asking. Make "open door" declarations real by adding "open ear."

Zealots

We've all noticed the vast increase of highly vocal zealots--individuals who fanatically claim views that allow no variation. The customary response to these unyielding advocates: argue, confront them, accuse them. Gosh, what would happen if instead we asked calmly, "Why do you feel that way?" "What are points we might agree on?" Using your ears instead of your mouth will shock the hardliners, and--quite surprisingly--meaningful dialogue will result.

As Stephen Covey taught: "Seek first to understand, and then to be understood."

Shakespeare Was Right

In the Shakespeare play Julius Caesar, Marc Antony opened his speech with "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." That advice remains relevant in every aspect of our personal and professional lives.

Ready to make your New Ears Resolution?

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Do you turn down promotions because you think you lack the communication skills for leading a department? Do you decline speaking opportunities because you experience excessive stage fright? Would you welcome the thrill of speaking to an audience confidently with only minimal notes?

Have you avoided sharing your message through video because you are camera shy? When you attend networking meetings, will your current listening skills prompt people to contact you again? Are you resisting becoming a podcast host or guest? Are you ready to meet with the media productively when your company’s crisis has gone public? Do your employees need customer service training?

Let’s have a conversation to determine how my services will elevate your communication skills dramatically.

I’m Dr. Bill Lampton—the “Biz Communication Guy”—sharing in this newsletter the communication skills and strategies I learned first as a college and community theater actor, then later a radio host, university faculty member, college and health care vice president, professional speaker, coach, consultant, author, and podcast host. You’ll find the opportunity to subscribe to my podcast when you visit my website, https://bizcommunicationguy.com.