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201. Better Listening

About this Podcast

Ep. 201 – Can you recall that last conversation you had with someone when you noticed they weren’t fully present with you and giving you their fullest attention? Maybe they checked their phones every so often, maybe they were watching people walking by, or they were more interested telling you about their own experiences rather than trying to really hear and understand what you were trying to communicate.

How did you feel in that conversation? Chances are high that it seemed high-level, not very meaningful, or even a waste of time.

Listening well is a skill most of us have to learn as an adult and while it sounds easy enough, for many of us it is actually hard to do and filled with unconscious pitfalls.

Being a better listener can lead to significant positive outcomes for you, your team, and your organization. Not only does it demonstrate empathy and help to build trust but it also plays an important role in understanding various perspectives which can lead to making better, more informed decisions.

In this episode, Ramona will fill you in on the most common barriers to active listening, some of which you’ve probably not thought of before. She will also provide practical advice that will help you navigate challenging situations by fully engaging with the people involved and getting to the root cause of the issues at hand.

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REFLECTION & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. What are some challenges you face in actively listening during conversations?
  2. How often do you find yourself offering solutions or advice too quickly before fully understanding the situation?
  3. What are some nonverbal cues you can use to demonstrate active listening?
  4. What strategies can you use to avoid interrupting or jumping to conclusions during conversations?
  5. Think about a recent conversation you had with an employee. In what ways did you actively listen to them?
  6. How comfortable are you asking clarifying questions to ensure you understand an employee’s concerns or perspectives?

RESOURCES MENTIONED

  • Learn how to turn your 1-on-1 meetings from time wasters, awkward moments, status updates, or non-existent into your most important and valuable meeting with your directs all week. Access the course and resources here: ramonashaw.com/11
  • Have a question or topic you’d like Ramona to address on a future episode? Fill out this form to submit it for her review: https://ramonashaw.com/ama

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WHAT’S NEXT?

Grab your copy of Ramona’s best-selling book ‘The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role’: amzn.to/3TuOdcP

If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag me @ramona.shaw.leadership or DM me on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw

Are you in your first manager role and don’t want to mess it up? Watch our FREE Masterclass and discover the 4 shifts to become a leader people love to work for: ramonashaw.com/masterclass

Don’t forget to invest time each week to increase your self-awareness, celebrate your wins, and learn from your mistakes. Your career grows only to the extent that you grow. Grab your Career Journal with leadership exercises and weekly reflections here: ramonashaw.com/shop

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* Disclaimer: Shownotes may contain affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost to you.


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