One of my all-time favorite books is "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. Rule Number 6 in the book is Be A Good Listener. Being a good listener is listening to the other person talking and learning something from the other person. It can be one of his or her hobbies, family, workplace, advice, or acquiring information. Furthermore, if there is a discussion on a current event, concept, or idea, being a good listener demonstrates or shows action you are listening and understanding their opinion, their point of view, and their thinking.
Being a good listener also applies to being a parent. Frustrated or anger parents arguing or scolding their children may say, "Don't talk back at me." Nonsense. When the children want to talk back, chances are the children want to express their feelings, their thoughts, and maybe find a solution to the argument both sides can agree on. Are the children angry? Absolutely. Parents must pursue the path to be noble and prove to their children the arguments have a solution everyone can be happy. Be empathic . . . ask the children to tell them everything and understand from their point of view. And hug the child. Parents hugging the children also prove the love for the children.
The rule also applies to managers, supervisors, and executives. When a worker has something to say, hear them out. Maybe the worker has a great idea. If the worker has a conflict to share, listen carefully and help find a solution. There is always a solution to an argument. Managers, supervisors, and executives, prove to the subordinates you're an all-star. Listen to them with empathy and understand from their point of view. When the workers say and spread positive comments, creditability goes up big time.
Be a good listener. And it's normal to ask the speaking person to repeat what they last said. I need clarification to make sure I heard what the speaker said correctly.
No comments:
Post a Comment