Listen To Learn

Good listening is truly where effective communication begins. It's suprising how few people really listen well, but successful people, more often than not, are the ones who have learned the value of listening.

I must admit that at my age, I am learning hard on how best to listen well to people, learning the real art and skill in understanding the real needs and problems of the other person. In my work as a risk manager, I need to have good listening skills to provide better solutions, risk management and protection programme to the enquired parties.

Not only we must be able to listen well, we must practise active listening. What is active listening ? It is an attentive approach, affirmation of understanding (ok...I understand..yes etc), noting with eye to eye contacts coupled with right questioning skill to understand the fact of the matter shared (it is not belittleing or judging the contents of sharing bu rather trying to understand deeper).

A fact need to be understood...people everywhere love to be listened to and they almost respond to people who listen to them. Listening is one of the best techniques we have for showing respect to others.

One leader also shared with me many years back...God gave us two ears so that we can listen more than we speak, as we have only one mouth. Further, we can close out mouth, but our ears are open 24 hours. This affirmed the importance of listening.

Spent more time to learn how to listen better, we will soon find out that we could learn so much from others.