Thursday August 14, 2014 #653
“Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.”
~Karl A. Menninger
It is interesting that while we are most attracted to those who listen to us, we often forget to be good listeners ourselves. It is a natural part of being human to want to be heard. It is less natural to be willing to hear others. In Stephen Covey’s seminal work, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, a key habit is “seek first to understand, then to be understood”. This remains are core behavior of exceptional people, especially leaders. Ask good questions, and then listen – really listen – to the answers. You will not only find incredible insights by listening, you will create trust and attractiveness as a leader and as a person.