Make Effective Listening Skills a Core Competency

One of the most critical skills of successful people whether in the business world or private life is their ability to communicate effectively. The most important component of effective communication … effective listening skills.

Arnold Palmer once said that 80 percent of a successful golf shot begins with the proper grip and how you stand over the ball. In other words, the success of the shot is almost a foregone conclusion before you start to swing the club.

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It is the same with communication … 80 percent of our success in learning from other people is based on how well we listen. In other words, success or failure is determined, to a large degree, before we do anything.

The most critical element of listening that most people don’t grasp is that it is an active, not passive activity. Most people believe the opposite and think you don’t have to do anything. You sit there like a bump on a log and just let the other person speak.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Great listeners regard their skill as a highly active process … with everything “all in”, especially their brain.

What are the three most important skills to master to be a more effective listener?

Listen with respect.

They think before they speak.

They always gauge their response by asking themselves ‘Is it worth it?’

To know customers better and to serve them best, the most successful businesses make effective listening skills a core competency. They train and practice often.

Mike Schoultz runs a small marketing and advertising agency, Digital Spark Marketing, where he blogs on topics that can make a difference in the success of a business. Connect with him on LinkedIn.