Being A Good Listener

One of the most well-known maxims is one who listens need not say much.

And I have come to comprehend that having good listening skills is a quality that makes a successful leader, teammate, and ally, in addition to what all my mentors have taught me. Although you may believe that listening comes naturally to you, there are ways to become a more engaged listener and demonstrate to others that you are paying attention to what they are saying. A good listener possesses numerous qualities, including empathy, open-mindedness, questioning, etc.  

How relevant is this ability for mentorship?  

The kind of ability that benefits from coaching and focused training from leaders or mentors who are familiar with your strengths, shortcomings, and, most importantly, habits—is listening well.  

Let's think about ways to get better at listening. 

No Judgments 

A skillfully performed act of empathy is listening. People will open up if you approach the talk with the stated goal of hearing the perspective without any judgment since they will believe you can trust them to appreciate what they have to say. 

You Are Hearing 

Instead of merely resting, you should go out of your way to demonstrate to people that you are paying attention to them. And body language plays a role in that, whether you are hunching over, cocking your head, or raising an eyebrow at the appropriate time. The other person can tell that you are paying attention to them due to all of these signs. 

Learn From All 

Adopt the perspective that anyone can teach you something. I think it's an art form to extract every nugget of wisdom from many different sources. If you show curiosity, people will respond and share what they know and how they learned it. You'll learn quickly and at no cost, plus you'll meet others. Although it might seem like a no-brainer, surprisingly, few individuals do what it says. 

Conclusion 

Now think who among your pals listens the best? Consider for a second what they do to maintain that standing among friends, family, and coworkers. They probably do many of the specialties mentioned above, including seeming present when you speak with them, without passing judgment about you or bringing their primary goal to the conversation, and showing interest in your life.