She muses

As artists of change, one of the most important skills we need to continue to cultivate is our capacity to listen deeply.

Through deep listening, we
* learn who others are and what they need
* help others feel respected
* build the rapport that is absolutely necessary to help others
* bring the best contributions forward from those with whom we work
* inspire trust and loyalty
* learn more

Here are some reminders about what makes for good listening. Assess where some of your own strengths and weaknesses are in listening.

LISTENING HABITS

Less-skilled Listener
1) Immediately evaluate what is being said.
2) Spend time rehearsing what they will say next.
3) Try to steer the conversation towards thedirection they want.
4) Hear everything through their own frame of reference.
5) Only ask questions when the other seems to need help.
6) Disagree with other’s point of view.
7) Try to take in and respond to everything.
8 Allow their mind to wander to other things.
9) Parrot back exactly what they heard.
10) Give little verbal and non-verbal response.

Skilled Listeners
1) Suspend judgment & listen.
2) Focus on what the other is saying.
3) Let the other person direct the conversation.
4) Try to enter the other’s frame of reference.
5) Ask questions to satisfy their own curiosity or interests.
6) Seek to understand other’s perspective
7) Sort for main ideas.
8 Keep focused on the other and what they are saying.
9) Reflect back the essence and feeling of what was said.
10) Actively encourage speaker through verbal and non-verbal cues.

Observe your own listening behavior using these 10 criteria.

Practice >>> With each and every person with whom you speak, bring the deepest and most respectful quality of listening.

Adapted from the practices of Robert Gass.