Listening
For the next few days, I want to write about what I am going to be working on as a leader in 2011. The first leadership skill I want to grow in is listening. I often think I know what the person is saying, and I cut them off with my answer to the question they have not asked. This is bad on so many levels. It doesn’t show value for the person speaking or show care to understand what they are trying to communicate beyond the words. I want to listen until they are finished, and care an extra second or two to think not only about what they are saying, but why they are saying it. I believe if I am able to grow in this area I can convey how much I care about them and grow my influence with the people I lead.
About the Author
Doug Franklin
Doug Franklin is the president of LeaderTreks, an innovative leadership development organization focusing on students and youth workers. Doug and his wife, Angie, live in West Chicago, Illinois. They don’t have any kids, but they have 2 dogs that think they are children. Diesel and Penelope are Weimaraners who never leave their side. Doug grew up in… Read More
