| A critical mandate of the leader is to perfect his | | | | 6. Focus and resist diversion. External distractions |
| listening skills. The step here is to modify your basic | | | | include impertinent occurrences you can see or hear, |
| outlook during interaction. How magnificent the world | | | | or which may be affecting your other senses. |
| might be if everyone shifted to superior levels of | | | | Internal distractions occur when your mind meanders |
| listening. What about you? As a leader do you have | | | | into unrelated memories or shifts its focus to qualms, |
| desire to become a more effective listener? Why | | | | plans, or expectations. |
| not give it a go? | | | | 7. Deploy the rapid pace of thought to your benefit. |
| Following are ten tactics that can empower you as a | | | | A good number of people can think four or five |
| better listener | | | | times faster than they speak. Never let your quick |
| 1. Pay attention for ideas and central themes. Hunt | | | | mind indulge in unrelated musings to the conversation. |
| for the speaker's fundamental theme or main points | | | | Capitalize on your thinking speed by actively collating, |
| instead of getting lost in, or reacting to, the minor | | | | inferring, evaluating, and abbreviating the messages |
| details. | | | | being received. |
| 2. Judge substance, not delivery. Concentrate, to | | | | 8. Verify your emotions. Everyone knows that the |
| your best ability, on what the speaker is asserting | | | | intellect is slave to emotions. Be receptive to things |
| and try not to be unduly influenced by his manner of | | | | that trigger your emotions and amplify your efforts |
| saying it. | | | | to focus on a clear reception and comprehension of |
| 3. Explore for areas of interest. It is tremendously | | | | what is being said. |
| easy to tune out a speaker, so labor on sharing his | | | | 9. Flex your mind. You can shun complicated or trying |
| or her enthusiasm. Doggedly search for new ideas or | | | | subjects, or you can intellectually grapple with |
| insights which might be advantageous to you. | | | | byzantine information so that you will have a chance |
| 4. Never jump to premature conclusions. It's easy to | | | | to mature. |
| presume that you know the rest of a sentence or | | | | 10. Love listening! Be an active listener. Take to heart |
| message after hearing the beginning. Shun prejudging | | | | the aforementioned suggestions. Ask questions and |
| a message, so you can accept and evaluate all of it. | | | | request clarification. Actively share in the sender's |
| 5. Take pointers, but adjust your evaluation to the | | | | pains to improve your level of comprehension, |
| speaker. While taking notes you hone your reception, | | | | whether or not you think you will consent. |
| comprehension, and, of course, retention of the data. | | | | |