How Listening Better Impacts Your Career
The Momentum Files #44
Doing this ONE thing better helps your career and job search.
When Spring arrived this year, I couldn’t help but notice the different sounds of the season. I could once again hear birds chirping, kids playing outside, local brooks and streams flowing. After a while, these sounds fade into the background and become something like a springtime elevator music playlist… I know they’re there but don’t actively focus on them.
This is what happens when we hear things rather than actively listen to them.
They fade into the background. They blend.
Hearing is something you automatically do.
Listening is a skill and something you choose to do.
Active listening takes this skill a step further.
It’s when you…
➡️ fully engage when someone is talking to you
➡️ listen with the intent to fully understand rather than listening to respond (you know, when you’re more focused on what you’re going to say next versus what the other person is saying to you in the moment)
➡️ incorporate empathy and connection to tap into what the other person means, their intent and how you can assure them they are being heard (asking questions like how did this come about, what’s the impact of that and how does that make you feel is one way to do this)
➡️ lean in and seek to obtain information, understand more deeply, fully absorb the message and build trust in the exchange
Listening better comes with important benefits… and helps you in your career (job search, career transition, professional development).
Here are some of the biggest advantages to mastering active listening:
➕ YOU BUILD TRUST WITH PEOPLE (colleagues, interviewers, bosses, etc.). That trust furthers your conversations, deepens relationships and makes space for candid communication without misunderstanding, hesitation or fear. The more empathy you bring to your conversations, the more you establish trust. The more trust, the easier it is to develop a short-hand with someone… allowing you to bypass all the preamble and quickly and comfortably get to the heart of the matter.
➕ YOU RESOLVE CONFLICT easily and professionally because the other person feels calm and at ease - knowing you’re truly listening and care about what they’re saying. This is a gift you can give to others because we’ve all felt unheard at times… which doesn’t feel good. Especially when you’re communicating something important and meaningful.
➕ YOU AVOID MISSING IMPORTANT INFORMATION and details. Through active listening, you develop a sharper awareness and the ability to track another person’s emotional cues. You notice their nuances and go beyond surface level conversations to the deeper meaning and intent. When you pick up on more than just the words someone is using, this becomes an informative, helpful and powerful skill!
➕ YOU IDENTIFY AND ANTICIPATE PROBLEMS and challenges. This is comforting for both you and the other person too! They’re able to tell you more – and do so more candidly - because they sense you’re holding what they’re saying respectfully and professionally.
➕ YOU FEEL EMPOWERED! The feedback you get is positive and encouraging… growing your confidence in knowing that you understand a person better. When this happens, you can bring yourself more fully and vibrantly to those conversations moving forward.
If you’re actively pursuing a new professional role, start actively listening from the very beginning! Here’s how doing so will help you:
✔️ Reviewing a job posting
Read between the lines and listen to the tone of the posting. Look for clues that will help you better understand the opportunity and the hiring company. Is the language formal or casual? Does it include technical jargon and industry language or is it more inclusive and relaxed? Is this an opportunity you want to pursue?
✔️Researching a company
Same as above. What is the company telling you (through its website content, social accounts, etc.) about its mission, environment and values? Does it align with who you are and what you want?
✔️During an interview
This is a BIG one! Walking into an interview can feel like sitting on a metal folding chair under a swinging light bulb on a chain. You’re about to be questioned. A lot. And you’re likely feeling pressure to quickly RESPOND. By actively listening, you focus on the other person… allowing you to limit mental and physical distractions, calm your nerves and be in the moment. To be tuned in. Even the initial chit chat can tell you a lot about this person, the company and what they need.
Two more helpful recommendations for bringing active listening to a job interview:
💡 Bring your curiosity to your conversations! Be interested! Actively listen to the interviewer’s tone (excited, stressed, etc.) and pay attention to body language. Ask for clarification when you need to better understand what they want and need.
💡 Be memorable. Active listening creates deeper connection. When you have this connection with an interviewer, he or she is much more likely to remember you… and what stood out about you. Remember, you might be that person’s 10th interview that day and have many of the same skills as everyone else.
Don’t let conversations with the people around you fade into the background. Go beyond simply hearing and choose to develop your active listening skills. You’ll enjoy deeper connections, build more meaningful relationships and have a powerful tool at your disposal.
How else can listening better lead to positive impacts in your life and career? Reply and tell me about it!