Are you listening well?

​According to our first article this week by Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman, apparently most of us think we are good listeners, just like we all believe we are good drivers. Many of us have even been given instruction on how to listen actively: stay quiet whilst the other person is talking, nod appreciatively and say um-hm, give good eye contact, and state back what we think we heard the speaker say. All of which is a good start, and certainly better than interrupting, talking over someone else, and immediately rebutting with what we want to say that may or may not acknowledge what the speaker was trying to convey.

So, knowing all that, I found the article fascinating in its findings about what makes a GREAT listener. And I really enjoy the comparison of good listening to that of a trampoline: “It gives energy, acceleration, height and amplification.”

The other articles this week address mindfulness as a great tool for more perceptive and thoughtful listening, and how we are beginning to understand the lasting benefits of silence time for our brain health. Who knew?

​Hope you enjoy these articles and as always, let me know what you’re thinking!

Great Listening, mindfulness and blessed silence

What GREAT listeners do
Great listening includes cooperative, positive back and forth conversations that support idea growth and development.
Here is the link to the article:
https://hbr.org/2016/07/what-great-listeners-actually-do

Mindfulness
Listening can be enhanced by practicing mindfulness, in order to become more observant. Effective listening is about more than just using your ears.
http://www.quietrev.com/the-power-of-listening-excerpt-from-the-art-of-shouting-quietly/

Prolonged silence is good for brain health
I'll just cut to the chase here: "some recent research is suggesting that prolonged and repeated exposure to silence may result in improved health."
http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2016/07/scientists-are-discovering-the-neural-benefits-of-silence.html

Fun Friday Workplaces

Since it is summer, hopefully you are getting some time out of the office (remember what I suggested last week?). These days, you can do at least some of your work from most anywhere, and so why not try to spend some of your time working outside. And remember, thinking and quiet time create brain health and also new idea generation. So, I'll just leave you with a photo of a quiet time outside.  See you next week!
​-Sabrina