Listen Twice As Much As You Speak
Today we’re continuing our conversation about communication with this key piece of advice, “Listen twice as much as you speak.” Doing this will allow you to learn as much as possible from those around you, keeping yourself open to every opportunity while also creating a mutual sense of respect amongst your fellow employees. And the best kind of listening is active listening: a skill that involves completely focusing on a speaker, fully processing what it is they have to say, understanding it, then responding helpfully. We’ve collected tips from the pros to ensure you’re able to do just that.
For our first trick, we’re turning CEO Elle Kaplan. While her thoughts on the power of active listening in workplace settings may be directed at business leaders, there’s plenty you can learn from her, too. After all, you should be thinking and acting like a leader in your professional environment! Kaplan provides this important tip to active listening: “Resist the urge to think about what to say next. You’ll draw better conclusions after the other person has finished speaking. It takes time to truly understand someone’s meaning — what’s behind the words. Those who you work with will take notice, and you’ll soon have their sincere and valuable trust.” Building up that real trust is an invaluable component of forging a genuine workplace community, one that allows everyone to feel and do their best. Take initiative in creating that community by actively listening to both your bosses and colleagues.
The experts at Indeed offer up both a tip and an example of that advice in action: “Ask open-ended questions. Ask questions that show you’ve gathered the essence of what they’ve shared, and guides them into sharing additional information. Make sure these questions cannot be answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Example: ‘You’re right—the onboarding procedure could use some updating. What changes would you want to make to the process over the next six months?’” Asking questions also shows that you care and are committed to producing stellar work that more than meets your organization’s needs, in addition to allowing you to be aware of how your efforts fit into the big picture at your company.
Don’t just passively “hear” those around you–actively listen! Make yourself indispensable to any professional environment by displaying genuine care and attention through your active listening skills. Communication is key. And listening is a key component of communicating! We’ll be back tomorrow with our Wednesday Wellness: Communication edition to help guide you become an even better workplace communicator.
This posting is brought to you by Contemporaries Inc., one of the best temp agencies in Boston MA. Also available for payrolling employees in Boston and Greater Boston
Recent Posts
Say What You Mean To Say
Now that you’ve learned to listen, you’re ready to speak! The key to working collaboratively is making sure everyone is on the same page. Our focus today is on ways to ensure you’re getting your message across in a variety of workplace environments.Taking a nuanced,...
Wednesday Wellness: Communication
With birds’ songs brightening the air, let a sense of music propel you through the middle of your workweek! For today’s Wednesday Wellness, we’re continuing our reflections on the importance of communication. Think of every conversation as a positive opportunity...
Listen Twice As Much As You Speak
Today we’re continuing our conversation about communication with this key piece of advice: “Listen twice as much as you speak.” Doing this will allow you to learn as much as possible from those around you, keeping yourself open to every opportunity while also creating...
Monday Mood Booster: Communication
Welcome back! We hope you had a wonderful weekend. As your work week starts back up, remember that daylight savings time is just around the bend. Get ready to set your clocks an hour forward this weekend! Inspired by the chirps of birds all around us as spring gets...
Getting Off To A Fresh Start Each And Every Day
Friday is almost here! As the end of the week draws closer, we’re by discussing ways to reinvigorate your approach to your workplace. Whether it’s your first day or your 101st, you’ll want to make sure you’re consistently bringing the same burst of energy to your...
Wednesday Wellness: Beginnings
It may be the middle of the week, but remember that any day--every day--can offer up a fresh, new start. Whether your week so far has been horrible or wonderful, take a moment to appreciate the present. And let that positive energy guide you forward. The affirmations...
How To Be The Fresh Air In Your Workplace
With March newly beginning, this week we’ll be focusing on just that--beginnings. From the first impressions you make in your employment placements to the clean slate each day offers up, make the most out of every moment. As Kelly Nguyen at ProSky points out, “You...
Feel Good Friday: Growth
Happy Friday! There’s much to celebrate as the week draws to a close: we’ll be kicking off a brand new month! And with March’s arrival will soon come spring. While we know this past year has had a lot of unprecedented twists and turns, remember that you’ve...
Wednesday Wellness: Growth
You’re midway through the week! As you proceed through your day, consider how all of your previous experiences have culminated in your present, and let them propel you onward through the rest of your week--and beyond. And to find inspiration for the best direction for...
Blossom Into A Better You At Your Workplace
As winter winds down, it’s a great time to unfreeze yourself from any unhelpful patterns you may have settled into. New opportunities for self-development exist all around you in your workplace! By looking to the achievements of others, you can figure out your own...
Monday Mood Booster: Growth
Welcome back! As February comes to a close and spring draws nearer, think about the ways in which you can blossom into a better self. A great place to start is by realizing that you still have much to learn as you move through the world. While you should keep in mind...
Feel Good Friday: Light
Happy Friday! Today we’re bringing the week to a close by continuing to provide ways you can shine a light on a bright path forward for you and all of your colleagues. Remember that your successes don’t exist in a vacuum but are instead the result of the contributions...
Let Your Leadership Shine in Any Workplace
As the light outside lingers for longer, today we’ll continue our conversation on how to serve as a shining light in your workplace, examining ways of indicating to both your colleagues and your employers that you have a solid handle on your current responsibilities...
Wednesday Wellness: Light
You have the strength to be a source of inspiration amongst your colleagues. And there’s no better time to serve as a guiding light than now--especially in February when everyone can use a bit of a mood boost after the excitement of the holidays has worn off! Though...