#FMF LISTEN

A writing prompt for 5 minutes

Listening is my professional goal based on my reading of Better Conversations: Coaching Ourselves and Each Other to Be More Credible, Caring, and Connected by Jim Knight. In back and forth conversations the goal is to have no judgement and no anticipation of declarations or opinions. There is to be no forming thoughts on my end ahead of time. To be in the moment and as Stephen Covey has professed for years: Listen first to understand, then be understood.

Little did I know years ago that Covey would still be in my head and a large part of my life.

No interrupting is the hardest part of listening for me. I interrupt for various reasons mostly passion but sometimes I just want to be heard. Or I simply want to share what I know to be helpful. Honestly, it is often better for me to be silent.

Everyone has something to teach me if I listen. They know things I do not know. I enjoy conversations better when I don’t have to prepare for it. I used to feel I had to fill the space with noise.

When I am tired I listen better. I pick up on nuance. I listen to the questions asked of me and hear the subtext of what is really being asked. I hate this about myself but have been stabbed in the back so many times I cannot help it. Why are you asking me that often plays in my head?

Being conscious of my weaknesses in listening has helped over the past few weeks especially at work.

How do you listen?