What Gets in the Way of Listening

• Ignore your inner critic - Shift your focus from “getting a good grade” to the presentation’s greater purpose. What excites you about the topic or audience?
• Expand how you see your role - Consider if you’ve boxed yourself in by role definition.  Do you believe your primary job is to provide direction only?
• Put aside your fear and anticipation - Notice if your listening shuts down when you’re emotionally uncomfortable.  Are you aware of your triggers?
• Be open to having your mind changed - Are you trying too hard to convey confidence and missing others’ perspectives in the process?

While tactically there are many ways to strengthen your listening skills, you must focus on the deeper, internal issues at stake to really improve. Listening is a skill that enables you to align people, decisions, and agendas. You cannot have leadership presence without hearing what others have to say.

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