What did you say?

There are times when I’m a great listener—typically when I’m well-rested, in the company of friends, and engaged in lighthearted conversation, like sharing a funny TikTok or a casual story. But most of the time, listening requires intentional effort. The rise of virtual and hybrid environments has made it clear to me that strong listening skills are more critical to success than ever, given their profound impact on team dynamics, information sharing, and productivity.

Most of us can agree that if multiple people listen to the same speaker or presentation, each person will pick up slightly different—or even completely different—information. Research suggests that while we hear with our ears, it’s our brain that makes sense of what we hear and decides what to focus on. This process is closely tied to our personality and emotional intelligence.

As we grow and lead, it’s important to listen differently—not just in the way that feels comfortable to you.

The next time you are in a meeting, try listening in one or all of these ways: 

1) Listen to what an interaction means to others. Notice how others are paying attention and reacting to the information being shared. If you really want to stretch this skill, try asking a question on behalf of someone else.

2) Listen to your internal dialogue and the judgements you are making. Notice when you are silent and processing what is being said. What statements are you making to yourself and what conclusion have you come to? Stretch yourself by explaining all the steps that you took to get to that conclusion.

3) Listen to the facts, data, and measurable information. Notice information that is measurable and has direct application to the problem or situation at hand. Stretch to not get caught up in the opinions, ideas, or inspirations of others.

4) Listen for ideas and comments that were dismissed quickly. Notice the ideas that are futuristic or outside the box. Avoid getting caught up in the details. Stretch and encourage people to be creative and simply brainstorm, reminding yourself that big dreams and bold ideas are okay.  

You will probably notice one or two ways are easier for you – your go-to way to listen. Others might not seem effective in certain meetings, and that’s okay. Keep listening–you might be surprised by what you hear!