Being Heard : 15 Ways to Get Better Listeners
It seems that there is always a lot of talk. The question might be, “Are you being heard?”
In my business as a consultant, professional speaker, and corporate trainer there is always an interest in listening. There are books, videos, and seminars that reach out to people about mastering the skills of exceptional listening.
Workplace Concepts
It seems that the responsibility for information intake is in the hands of the listener, not the person speaking. If you’re really hoping to be heard you might be thankful for those who have great listening skills.
In the workplace the concept often is: respect me because I am talking, listen better because I’m providing value. The idea of speaking to one, or hundreds might appear to be about push, but what if it was about pull?
What if it is more about people being interested, drawn in, and compelled to hear what you have to say? How do you create that environment? What makes people want to listen?
There was a series of popular television commercials in the 1970’s and 1980’s whose tagline is well known to many of the baby boomer and gen X population. The tagline is, “When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen.”
E.F. Hutton was known by many as one of the most respected financial firms in the United States. Its commercials often featured investors in conversation at crowded places and when E.F. Hutton was mentioned everyone stopped to listen.
Being Heard
Is being heard about respect? Many people will tell you that respect is earned.
If you want to be heard what you might want to push for is earning more respect. Here are fifteen ways to do it:
- Take responsibility
- Listen first
- Stop blaming
- Acknowledge good work
- Compliment others
- Build people up
- Appreciate honest efforts
- Gossip less
- Worry about your attire, not others
- Don’t bully
- Tell the truth
- Be helpful
- Don’t judge
- Value people
- Be kind
The next time you talk, will anyone be listening?
Perhaps the best way to capture listeners is with respect.
Be heard.
– DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and corporate trainer that specializes in helping businesses and individuals accelerate their leadership, their team, and their success. He is a four-time author and some of his work includes, Forgotten Respect, Navigating A Multigenerational Workforce and Pivot and Accelerate, The Next Move Is Yours! Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
