“Don't just listen with your two ears only. Listen attentively. Listen with every fiber of your being!”
Source: The 9 Cardinal Building Blocks: For continued success in leadership
“Think of the communication that takes place in your own life on a continuous basis—at home, at work, with friends, and beyond. When you actively listen to people, you enhance communication.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Through the years, I have heard that the average person speaks at about 150-160 words per minute, but can listen at a rate of about 1,000 words per minute. What is going on during all that extra mind time?
• Our minds are racing ahead and preparing for the next thing we are going to say.
• We are preoccupied with other thoughts, priorities, and distractions.
• Our subconscious filters are thumbing through our database of memories, judgments, experiences, perspectives, and opinions to frame how we are going to interpret what we think someone is saying.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“While active listening is crucial for optimal communication, we are faced with a dilemma which can perplex even the sincerest and engaged of individuals.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“You can have the perfect message, but it may fall on deaf ears when the listener is not prepared or open to listening.
These listening "planes" were first introduced by the American composer Aaron Copland (1900-1990) as they pertain to music . . .
1. The Sensual Plane: You’re aware of the music, but not engaged enough to have an opinion or judge it.
2. The Expressive Plane: You become more engaged by paying attention, finding meaning beyond the music, and noticing how it makes you feel.
3. The Musical Plane: You listen to the music with complete presence, noticing the musical elements of melody, harmony, pitch, tempo, rhythm, and form.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“To make matters even more complicated, research has shown that we remember only 25-50 percent of what we hear. This inclination not only compromises our connection with another person, but we can fail to retain vital information. All this evidence demonstrates that it is imperative that we intentionally pay closer attention and strive to become an in-depth listener.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“UN-Impressives of the Poor Listener
• Thinking about what you should have done, could have done, or need to do.
• Allowing your emotional reactions to take over.
• Interrupting the person talking.
• Replying before you hear all the facts.
• Jumping to conclusions and making assumptions.
• Being preoccupied with what you're going to say next.
• Getting defensive or being over-eager.
• One-upmanship—feeling the urge to compete and add something bigger, better, or more significant than what the speaker has to share.
• Imposing an unsolicited opinion.
• Ignoring and changing the subject altogether.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“The Physical Language of Listening
Active listening is a physical process which transcends simply hearing. Your body language speaks on your behalf as to whether you are fully present and engaged . . .
• Make eye contact.
• Nod your head; confirm.
• Use your eyebrows and expressions of emotions to show that you're paying attention.
• Lean forward.
• Listen patiently to demonstrate respect and sensitivity.
• Open your physical presence to encourage them to continue.”
Source: The Art of Communication: 8 Ways to Confirm Clarity & Understanding for Positive Impact
“Active Listeners, listen more than they talk. Listen more than is comfortable. Listen more than most people. Listen, and listen and listen...then they ask the next question and listen again...that's a game changer... It will impact your ability to connect, to coach or to sell.”
“He was practicing active listening.”
Source: All the Birds in the Sky