March is Listening Awareness Month

Because March is National Listening Awareness Month, I’ve been thinking more about this topic.?

Listening is the theme for this month's complimentary MasterClass on Tuesday, March 26th at 4:00 pm ET. ?Register here:

Listening is becoming extinct!

Research says listening is becoming an endangered skill. That’s no laughing matter!

Think about the cost of not listening to one another.?

It’s tempting to think, “I’m a great listener. There’s nothing to worry about here.”? Let’s take a minute to consider some truths about listening.

Truths About Listening

Imagine for a minute that you’re in a meeting. Everyone is shouting out ideas left and right. Instead of tuning in and catching the brilliant suggestions, you’re mentally planning your summer vacation. Your colleagues feel like they’re talking to a brick wall, and wonder why their golden idea nuggets are evaporating like soap bubbles. Well done! You’ve bought into the “Cost of Not Listening”. Or better yet, this mental wandering off during conversations is labeled as “inefficient listening”.?

Wait! There’s more!?

Imagine a customer calls you and starts complaining about your service or product. Instead of listening and addressing their concerns, you busy yourself mentally preparing a witty comeback to their issues. Next thing you know, that complaint is broadcast to the entire digital world and then some. Every person on the planet now knows about your shoddy customer service. How fast can you “un-cha-ching”??

The truth is that not listening efficiently costs much more than a few dollars out of your wallet. It’s missed opportunities to build relationships and trust, to strengthen the bond between you and your customers, and the discovery of invaluable insights that could take your business from zero to millions.?

OK – it is possible! Brian Tracy says every one of us has at least four million dollar ideas. But…do we listen?

“Everyone has at least four?ideas?per year, any one of which could make him or her a?millionaire.” —?Brian Tracy.

When your listening is a superpower, you’ll be a force for amazing strategies and service.

Here's the secret sauce for sharpening those listening skills

1. Put Down the Phone.? Turn off the technology and actually pay attention when someone is speaking with you. I know this is ground-breaking news!? But…it’s impressive to see the reaction when the other person is aware that you are eliminating distractions so you can pay attention. I dare you to try it and notice the results. People will comment that you are a great listener!
2. Practice Empathy. This means putting yourself in the other person’s shoes or sandals and do try to understand where they are coming from. Bonus points if you don’t walk off with their shoes.
3. Ask Questions. Don’t be afraid or hesitant to ask for clarification when you don't understand something. After all, none of us is Google with all the answers. Asking questions is a powerful skill worth developing.
4. Take Action.?If you just nod and smile and never take steps to address issues, you'll show that you’re a lazy listener. People who really listen are also action-takers.?

When you make a conscious effort to tune in to others, you will gain the reputation of being a good communicator and listener.? Who doesn’t want that?

Listening is the theme for this month's MasterClass on Tuesday, March 26th at 4:00 pm ET. ?Register here:

Make Every Day a Great Day…Because You Can!

Best regards,

Lorraine