I'm halfway through re-reading one of the most valuable books I can recommend – The Magic of Thinking Big by David J.
Schwartz.
One line I read which I thought was a great metaphor - “in some ways, a leader is like a human decision making machine”. This statement was in relation to how well good leaders listen to others, and seek input and opinions to help them make decisions.
The concept is that leaders need raw materials to feed their decision making machine, and these raw materials come in the form of other people’s ideas and opinions, in addition to their own.
Effectively listening to what other people are saying, and drawing information out of them, is where we get these raw materials, to help us make decisions. This is equally true for our personal as well as work lives, and is important no matter what level of the business we work at.
Four Tips to Improve
Listening
Schwartz recommends the following tips to improve your listening skills:
- Encourage others to talk. Whether in a one-on-one discussion, or a group meeting, actively encourage and support others to speak and give their opinions.
- Draw out others’ opinions, thoughts and ideas through asking questions, such as “What do you think?”, “What’s your opinion?”, and “Can you see any problems we might face?”
- Test your own opinions or ideas in the form of questions. Put your ideas or plans out there (to your team, your boss or your peers) and ask them probing questions to find out what they think and how you could improve your idea.
- Concentrate on what the other person is saying. Really listen to what they are saying, and evaluate its meaning. This will help you make better conversation, and also help you remember the key points. Listening is not just keeping your mouth shut and thinking about what you are going to say next!
The Benefits
In addition to getting raw material for your decision making machine, the added benefit of listening effectively, and listening more than you talk, is that people will tend to like and respect you more. We all naturally get a good feeling when someone listens to what we have to say.
So today, practice asking and listening, asking and listening - to obtain the raw materials that you need for your decision making machine.
In Schwartz’s words: “Big people monopolize listening, small people monopolize talking.”
Have a safe and productive week,
Jamie Ross – Mining Man
Mining Man - Leadership, Safety and Productivity Ideas for the Mining Industry
Signup today to get new articles sent straight to your inbox (only your email address required!).
Related Topics:
A Simple Guide to KT Analysis - A Great Decision Making Tool
Comments