Are You a True Listener?

Would others describe you as a good listener? Most people say yes to this question, and yet, when they take our Listening Self-Assessment, most people find out they are demonstrating behaviors that say otherwise.

Recently, I was on the phone with a colleague, and although I was listening, I also had a deadline I was trying to meet. I was multi-tasking and crafting an email while also listening to her talk. She could hear me typing in the background and said, “I don’t feel truly listened to right now.” Ouch... She was right. My multi-tasking sent a signal that I wasn’t really listening. My underlying intention was to give her time and space to talk, yet I was feeling pulled to meet the deadline. My actions didn’t match my intention, and she noticed.

Once I was made aware of the signal I was sending, I changed my behavior and gave her my full attention.

Are you guilty of similar behaviors? Would others describe you as a True Listener?

In the Personify Leadership Core Program, we teach Six Interruptions to Listening Styles and help leaders identify which style predominately shows up in their day-to-day. It is often a wake-up call for how they are making others feel when their interruption style is present. Once you have more self-awareness around the behavior, you can make different choices that help you be a better leader.

Interested in being a better listener? Please consider registering for one of our upcoming classes! We just added several international dates and locations, so check out our new schedule.