Via: http://teachingtogether.info/passport-popstars/
As an entrepreneur we are always striving our best to lead our team and business to secure newer and better achievements, but in order to do so, we need our team to listen to what we say and act accordingly.
An analysis study that was conducted by the George Washington University claimed that listening had the ability to influence up to 40% of a leader’s job performance.Why is it then that our teams don’t listen to all we say? Don’t be surprised if we tell you that the secret could lie with your own listening skills.
If someone were to question us about our listening skill, we are more than likely to rate our skills above average, some would go on to say that they are rather good. But, is it so?
Read on to find out how it is that you can really get your team to listen to you and not make you feel like a preacher preaching a sermon.
- People Like Listening To Listeners
Research says that leaders who listen to their team and value their employee’s opinions, get listened to themselves. A team is likely to obey and agree with a leader who listens to them rather than just imposes their views and opinions on them. So, when you conduct that next meeting, try and discuss a problem rather than announcing an answer that you deem fit.
- Bring Out The Rationale Behind What You Say
Haven’t you ever idolized someone so much that you’ve wished that you could think like them? Well, it is no different for your team. An ideal leader is often idolized and your team would like to know how is it that you get the ideas that you get. As a best practice, try and explain the rationale behind what you are saying. This might help your team to understand what you say better, and then act better.
- Stop Worrying About The Answer
When someone approaches to talk to you, instead of focusing on what you will say to them in return, try focusing on what they are actually saying. This will not just help the person talking to you feel more involved, but it will also help you frame your answer better. Another pro tip is to use and repeat a few words that the person used, as it reassures the speaker that they were heard.
- The Other Language
Body language plays an important role when not just talking or addressing people, but also when listening to them. A positive body language can make a conversation that much more meaningful for the person who has approached you. Leaning in a little towards them, not answering your phone or glimpsing at it, nodding your head, and even an appropriate expression can sometimes make the person talking feel that more comfortable and thereby build trust. Needless to say, that a leader needs to be trusted by his or her followers.
Active and effective listening is not something that you can master in a day, but you can put in a little conscious effort every day and get better and better.
