03/13/2017

Communication Will Matter This Season – Actually, Every Season

by Peter Margaritis, The Accidental Accountant

Listening to Understand

A BIG part of communicating is actually listening. So often this part of the equation is overlooked. We tend to be so intent on getting our ideas heard that we steamroll over those who we are talking with and we aren’t hearing them. If we want to be heard, surely we should be doing some listening as well?!

The truth is, we all want to be heard… especially your team and your clients. Being heard requires someone to actually listen. Listening requires putting our own agendas aside and prioritizing the person in front of us. Really listening to your colleagues and clients this busy season will make your life SO much better. Why? People will feel heard, validated and, as a result, they will feel positively toward you, which will make your stress decrease significantly.

Of course, improvisation comes in handy here, because the key to improv is being able to listen in order to understand. When you’re not listening to those around you, how can you respond in a way that truly adds value to the interaction? It’s the same no matter the situation, a client meeting, speaking with your spouse or meeting someone new – in each of these interactions, we have a choice in how we’re going to engage. When you stop yourself from acting on your knee-jerk reactions/responses/ideas and instead listen and wait to respond, you’ll find that not only does the person to whom you’re talking feel validated, you’ll have a relevant response. Also, being thoughtful about what someone is telling you and how you choose to respond will inevitably help you when challenging topics are brought up.

Please click here to read the complete post from Peter Margaritis.