“Communication. My biggest issue is communication,” explained Lawrence. “That’s what it all boils down to. If we could just communicate. If we just would communicate more effectively, things would be better.”
“Do you have trouble speaking?” I asked.
“No,” he retorted. “I always know what I want to say.”
“Well, then it seems you have that part down. If talking is the one part of communication that you don’t have a problem with, what is the other part of the conversation?”
Lawrence was a bit chagrined. He was no dummy. “Listening,” he replied.
“Lawrence, if you just listen, your customer will tell you how they want to be treated. If you just listen, your team will tell you how to solve the problem. If you just listen, your team member will tell you how they want to be lead.
“Most managers think communication is all about talking, when, the critical part is all about listening.”
Tom. appropriate as always.
This same thing reared its head twice this week.
once with me – working with an exec. who challenged my methodology. Suddenly I stopped listening and became defensive. I returned to him the next day and just sat and listened. Then he was able to clarify his question and request which was not as bad as I imagined. If I had just let him finish.
Often the need to defend and speak becomes immediate. There are held beliefs of fighting for your point. When listening has a greater outcome.
I am working on a communication project which has opened my eyes as to how my organization is and is NOT communicating, which includes listening. A step from listening is HEARING…is what I am saying being heard correctly?