Leadership Success: The Secrets To Successful Listening

  1. Focus on listening rather than multitasking.
  2. Don’t jump to snap judgements.
  3. Clarify understanding by summarising periodically.
  4. Pay attention to body language as it may give clues to disconnects between what is being said and what should be being said.
  5. Acknowledge the other person’s feelings, especially when handling difficult staff.
  6. Don’t let your own need to be right or have the last word get in the way of listening.

What else from your experience would you add to the list?

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to achieve success and realize their professional potential through being highly effective leaders and managers. For more information and to sign up for his free audio e-course click here

About the Author Duncan Brodie

Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.

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8 comments
Clare Evans @clareevans says 9 June 2010

Give them your full attention and indicate that you’re listening and focused on what they’re saying.

Listen to the tone of their voice and the words that they use.

Don’t impose your thoughts, feelings and opinions on what is being said.

Ask open questions to encourage discussion.

Use a deeper level of listening to understand what’s ‘really’ being said. Use your intuition as much as your sense of hearing.

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