John S. Gordon - Business and Personal Coach

"You have the greatness and the power.  I just help you turn on the switch."

MARVELOUS MONDAYS

 

March 18, 2013 - Issue 217    

 

Listening for Success

 

This is a third in a series on Listening for your Success. 

 

Click for issues 216 and 215. 

 

I acknowledge as a resource for this issue Steve Shapiro's "Listening for Success"

 

 

  

 
Dear ,

 

Welcome to Issue 217.  If you did not receive a previous issue, you may use the archive link below to view it now.  The mission of "Marvelous Mondays" is to offer an inspirational thought, a practical exercise, some humor, or a simple tip to jump-start your week and to enhance your life, business, outlook or relationships. 

 

Please feel free to forward "Marvelous Mondays" to others who will enjoy it.

 

THREE TRUTHS
  1. Relationships.  Our quality of life is determined by our relationships.
  2. Communication.  The quality of our relationships is determined by our ability to communicate.
  3. Listening.  The skill that is usually missing in communication is listening.

 

WORD JUMBLE GAME FOR LISTEN

When you jumble the letters in the word "listen", you get "enlist" (defined as engaging emotionally) and jumble it again and you get "silent".  How appropriate and accurate.   

 

THE 9 HABITS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE 

  1. Let Go of the Need to Trump a Story.  When someone tells us a story, we have a tendency to tell them our own story, thinking it will help us relate to the other person.  However it has the opposite effect because we have shifted the focus to ourselves and we may be trumping their story.    
  2. Let Go of the "FAR".  FAR is the acronym for "Formulating A Response" as the other person is talking.
  3. Let Go of the Need to Finish Someone's Sentence.  When listening to someone who may not talk at your speed, resist the temptation to complete their sentences.  If the other person wants you to complete the sentence, he/she will ask you.  And the other person probably will not like your finishing the sentence.  It's an interruption and may disrupt the flow of the person's thoughts. 
EXERCISE

This week I invite you to do the following silence exercises:

  1. The next time someone tells you a story or vents, do not respond by telling your story.
  2. Silence your thoughts and avoid the FAR tendency.
  3. Be silent and let the other person finish their sentence.

 

 

 

These are challenging exercises.  I support you in your efforts and look forward to hearing your experience and to any questions. 

 

Elephant Image  

"We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we talk."

 

Epictetus-Greek Philosopher

JOHN'S BIO
John has owned several businesses and is an attorney who has practiced in the business and estate  areas.  In addition, he coaches business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, speech makers and presenters.  He also coaches persons who are determined to accelerate their careers and leadership skills or who are considering a career move or retirement.  John uses coaching as a tool in his leadership and business results based consulting.  He is also a life coach.

                   **John is currently accepting a few new coaching clients.**

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