ARE YOU A GOOD LISTENER?

The fact is that most people think they are good listeners but, in reality, are not!  Good listeners are supposed to really pay attention to what the speaker is saying.  Our ability to be "good" listeners is probably the most important skill we can have but also one we take for granted.  Ask yourself if you have any of the following "bad" listening habits?
 
-Do you find yourself mentally criticizing or judging what the other person is saying?
-Are there times when you secretly think the speaker is wasting your time?
-Do you try to look like your listening when you're really not?
-Are you preparing your response while they are still speaking?
-Do you highjack the conversation with your own story or ideas?
-Do you give solutions or advice when it wasn't asked for?

If you said YES to any of these, you may want to sharpen your listening skills.  Click on the link below and take a 1-minute inventory.  Hurry...find out your score?

LISTENING INVENTORY & SCORE

Whatever your score, the good news is that it CAN be improved.  Wait...if it can be improved, it can also become worse.  Listening, just like any skill, must be refined through practice.  You don't have to go crazy with the development of a full scale self-improvement plan.  Just start with one person and/or one listening skill.  Maybe you decide to make better eye contact, stop what you're doing to give full attention , avoid creating a response while they are still talking, or  maybe you just decide not to give advice unless you're asked.  Whatever it is and whoever it is with, make being a GOOD listener a priority.  I guarantee people will notice and appreciate your efforts.