High-quality listening can be a good predictor of your leadership ability. Research shows that good listeners tend to perform better at work, have higher quality relationships and report increased levels of well-being. There exists a lot of good advice about how to be a more effective listener. I like this sound advice from Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, professor of business psychology at University College London and Columbia University:
Four enablers of high quality listening:
- Focus (undivided attention)
- Empathy (try to see another perspective)
- Self-control (avoid impulsive interruptions)
- Inclusion (acknowledge another’s perspective in your response)
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Penny Schnarrs
Virtual Communities Program Manager
Association of American Medical Colleges
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