A Lean Journey 
On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.
“The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.” — Ralph Nichols
It
is important to be able to communicate clearly, to be able to convey
information to others. As managers, we have to do this throughout the day.
However, it is equally important to be able to receive information – from your
employees as well as your superiors.
is important to be able to communicate clearly, to be able to convey
information to others. As managers, we have to do this throughout the day.
However, it is equally important to be able to receive information – from your
employees as well as your superiors.
Here
are 8 listening tips
are 8 listening tips
- Take notes – They aid retention.
- Listen now, report later – Plan to tell
someone what you heard. - Learn to want to listen – You must have
desire, interest, self-discipline, and concentration to be a quality
listener. - Be present – Watch the tendency to
daydream. - Become a “whole-body” listener – Listen
with your ears, your eyes, your heart, your intuition and your mind. - Build rapport – By pacing the speaker.
Approximate the speaker’s gestures, expressions and voice patterns to
create comfortable communication. - Control your emotional “hot-buttons” –
Knowing what makes you react emotionally is your key to preventive
maintenance. - Control distractions – Controlling
internal and external distractions helps you manage your working
environment more effectively.
Listen
with your full attention directed toward understanding what your coworker or
staff member needs from you. Many managers, especially, are so used to helping
people solve problems that their first course of action is to begin
brainstorming solutions and giving advice. Maybe the employee just needs a
listening ear. Your best approach is to listen deeply, ask questions for
clarification to make sure you understand the situation and then, only then,
ask the person what they would like from you. Trust me. They usually know, and
often, they breathe a sigh of relief and say, “Thanks for listening.”
with your full attention directed toward understanding what your coworker or
staff member needs from you. Many managers, especially, are so used to helping
people solve problems that their first course of action is to begin
brainstorming solutions and giving advice. Maybe the employee just needs a
listening ear. Your best approach is to listen deeply, ask questions for
clarification to make sure you understand the situation and then, only then,
ask the person what they would like from you. Trust me. They usually know, and
often, they breathe a sigh of relief and say, “Thanks for listening.”
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