
Blog Post
The Power of Listening
November 25, 2019 / Category: Business Success , Communication


“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” Stephen R. CoveyWhat characterizes powerful listening? For a start, powerful listeners are ‘other-directed’ rather than focused on the self. Instead of hijacking a conversation for their own ends, they strive to be fully present and in-the-moment with the speaker. They seek to understand the thoughts, feelings, and views of the speaker, rather than assuming they are the same as their own. They build rapport through eye contact and body language, allowing silence, warmth and caring, rather than questions, to draw the speaker out. They listen as a receiver, rather than as a judge or critic. This means that they are neither racing ahead in their own mind to find a solution, nor are they interpreting what they hear as good or bad, right or wrong, stupendous or stupid. Instead, they check their perceptions of what the speaker is saying, meaning, thinking and feeling. Ironically, because they seek to understand the other person rather than instantly responding from their own perspective, they create a climate that is more conducive to healthy debate and to finding a solution or agreement. Taking the concept of deep listening out of the realms of theory and into a fast-paced, pressured business environment may seem almost impossible. It isn’t. Neither is it required each time every day. Half the battle is becoming aware of when we must listen at this level because we recognize the consequences of not doing so. This does not mean allowing people to run on endlessly unchecked. It may, however, mean allowing the person you often cut off - because they keep repeating the same thing over and over again - to actually have their say, while you listen, seek to understand their views and feelings, and demonstrate that you have done so through your response. If you truly hear this person, and he or she knows it, they no longer need to battle to be heard and your influence over how they shape their communication grows considerably. Everyone wins. Third Level works to create teams of listeners, which in turn, brings new heights of collaboration and productivity. For more information about how Third Level can help your employees learn to power listen, call US 800.262.0705/ UK 44 345 056 3383 or email Info@ThirdLevel.com.