“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen R. Covey
By Christi Nation
Listening is the most endearing quality you can develop. Your loved ones and work colleagues will appreciate it. Focusing on the other person in conversation is actually a gift to yourself. You get to learn about the other person.
Here is a technique that people are not usually taught:
During a conversation, wait for a response. You are giving the gift of a pause. We are conditioned to fill silence. For some reason it makes us feel uncomfortable. People feel valued when they are heard. When you speak or ask a question, pause to allow the other person to gather his or her thoughts. It may seem like forever but it’s not. That pause may be one or two seconds. That one or two seconds will make you a brilliant conversationalist.
Until we meet again, here are your Happiness Actions for this month:
- Too often, waiting to reply is the time when we think we should ask the question again or in a different way, or begin to explain what we are wanting.
- Instead, keep quiet because that person is gathering his or her thoughts.
- We do not have to fill silence. When that person begins to speak, do not interrupt or comment on what he or she says.
Give the gift of listening. You will receive one in return – a happy relationship with your loved ones.
Christi Nation, President of Nation Training & Development, has been in the training field for over 20 years and has been writing “Happiness Actions” since 2015. Her passion is to coach communication and soft skills and help advance your profits, productivity, and peace of mind. Visit www.NationTD.com to overcome your challenges faster.
