At Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio listening is a big deal. But what is listening specifically? According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, listening is defined in the context of coaching as hearing something with thoughtful attention and giving consideration. This is the core skill a coach must exercise to be effective in working with clients. It really is an important and powerful skill not just for coaches, but for everyone in general. If we can be real for a moment, we most likely will admit that most people are simply not good listeners. And it is likely a reality for most that to be truly heard is a luxury and a gift that most of us do not experience to a high degree or very often.
Support from Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio is an opportunity to learn more about this topic and understand it’s impact in one’s life. It truly is a priority at Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio to both help you be heard in an authentic way as well as to learn how to become a top-notch listener.
As noted, listening is truly a gift to the other person. Effective listening, however, takes concentration and practice. Most people are simply waiting for their turn to speak with their own agenda in mind. The foundation of good listening – truly authentic, active, effective listening is not only a cornerstone of coaching, but it forms the bedrock of all relationships. It takes these partnerships to the next level and will likely draw others to you. Investing in becoming an exceptional listener is one of the most profitable ventures a person could pursue.
Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio can also support listening as a skill and addressing bad habits that might be surfacing for a person. Some of these bad habits, which are unfortunately, quite common in the listening space include pretending to be attentive when your mind is really wandering elsewhere. Additionally, making assumptions that you know what the other person is going to say, and therefore disengaging. other bad habits include being critical in your thought process about the person’s delivery and letting emotions distract you from what is being said based on what might be in your own process. Of course we are all guilty of not being perfect as listeners but if any of these bad habits resonate with you, some coaching support from Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio might be a great option.
There are some basic skills to call out in terms of listening. Even a cursory look into the topic of listening as a skill, will uncover what is called active listening. Active listening is a combination of several skills. One of them is called mirroring. Simply put, mirroring is restating what another has said to ensure you have heard their message correctly. This also has the benefit of giving the other person confidence you are engaged and paying attention. Another basic skill in listening is called clarifying. This is simply digging a bit deeper, by asking additional questions to ensure you have their message thoroughly and accurately understood.
Taking listening to the next level is what is referred to as level three listening. Level three listening includes not only getting the words and the specific message right, but it also is about noticing things such as body language, what is not said, as well as relying on your personal intuition to discern the true and full message being delivered. With this type of listening comes in opportunity to grow a deeper rapport with others. Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio considers it an honor to consistently operate at this level of listening.
Let us discuss briefly what listening is not, particularly in the arena of coaching. Listening in the coaching space is not about identifying problems, historical issues in a persons life, personal pain, a person has experienced, or any psychological blockers. It also is not about listening for solutions. Listening is also not about advising or providing training. Listening coaches, seek to uncover possibilities, dreams, aspirations to help clients unlock their own potential.
To wrap up this topic of listening well, we will come full circle to how we started. Listening, genuine, attentive, listening is a precious gift! Think about your own life. Who in your life truly listens to you in a authentic way? How do you feel when you’re interacting with this person who is a great listener? And how do you feel afterwards? Great listeners send a message to every single speaker with whom they engage. This message is – you are important! And what you are sharing is important! And finally, that you are valued and worthy to be listened to! Consider this precious gift and if you would like to be truly heard or grow into that great listener, perhaps coaching support would be a great option to help you on that journey.
At Live on Purpose | Life Coaching – life coaching San Antonio it is an honor to make this happen.
As a bonus, check out some of these fun quotes about listening as you consider whether to invest in becoming a better listener.
The art of conversation lies in listening.
Malcom Forbes
Listening is fifty percent of our education.
anonymous
We have two ears and only one tongue in order that we might hear more and speak less.
Diogenes Laertius
And related but likely more well known: We have two ears but one mouth so that we may listen twice as much as we speak.
Albert Einstein
An appreciative listener is always stimulating.
Agatha Christie
When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.
Ernest Hemingway
Let a man talk about himself and he will think you’re mighty interesting.
Anonymous
Train yourself to listen. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn when your mouth is shut.
Anonymous
And finally,
A pair of good ears will drink dry a hundred tongues.
Benjamin Franklin