A while back, someone said to me, “Wow, Vince, you’re
such a good listener!” It made me wonder
what it’s like to be a bad listener! So,
I asked some folks. Here are some
headlines for what I have learned about
Egregiously Bad Listening:- I’m here to Fix You. (No matter what you say, I have the solution.)
- Make it All About Me. (You think you have it bad! Let me tell you about my life…)
- Should on You. (You shouldn’t feel that way! You shouldn’t think that! There is something wrong with you!)
- Isn’t that Sweet? (You obviously don’t understand what’s really
going on).
And the list could go on.
I tend to know that I am listening by what comes out of
my mouth after the speaker finishes. There’s a good chance I’ve been listening
well when my response starts with any of these phrases:
- "It sounds like you…”
- “It makes sense that you would feel…”
- “Let me see if I’m understanding you…”
I can also check! “Did
I get that right?”
What do you think?
Onward!
V
