tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255952740325165789.post5283789030690135142..comments2015-10-28T05:32:33.925-05:00Comments on Soft Skills for Hard Core Technical Professionals: Listening for Better LeadershipBoot Camp for Managershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03199372487269452631noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5255952740325165789.post-32517918175371727162007-09-05T09:40:00.000-05:002007-09-05T09:40:00.000-05:00Diann makes some great points! One of the best bo...Diann makes some great points! One of the best bosses I ever had was a master of active listening. What I remember most is when you showed up at his office door with an issue, he would stop what he was doing and give you his full attention. As IT people, we tend to be very task focused, and therefore often struggle to put down the task at hand to give people our full attention. In our program “Soft Skills for Hard Core Technical Professionals” we teach a module on active listening, and often refer to the Six Steps of Active Listening:<BR/><BR/>1. Create a Safe Place<BR/>• Draw the other person out<BR/>• Use door openers: “Could you explain,” or “tell me more”<BR/>• Be acknowledging: “I see,” “yes,” “go on”<BR/><BR/>2. Become Actively Involved<BR/>• Focus your complete attention on the speaker<BR/>• Make eye contact<BR/>• Smile genuinely<BR/>• Maintain open, relaxed posture<BR/>• Sit or stand squarely<BR/>• Avoid physical barriers<BR/><BR/>3. Avoid the Temptation to Evaluate<BR/>• Don’t judge<BR/>• Don’t criticize<BR/><BR/>4. Search for Meaning<BR/>• Decode the message<BR/>• Perceive the speaker’s feelings<BR/>• Discover the real message<BR/><BR/>5. Confirm Your Understanding<BR/>• Acknowledge<BR/>• Restate<BR/>• Discover the real message<BR/><BR/>6. Bring Closure<BR/>• Summarize<BR/>• State your position (if appropriate)<BR/>• Agree on actions to be taken (as necessary)<BR/><BR/>Active listening is a key component of effective communication and leadership, but it is a skill that most of us have to work at.<BR/><BR/>Randy Bancino<BR/>Managing Partner<BR/>Profitable Growth Partners, LLC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com