Harness the Power of Listening

Who wouldn’t love super hearing? The ability to listen in to others’ conversations, to be in the know about the latest gossip. Sounds appealing in a decadent voyeuristic way. Superman used his power of super hearing for the good. But hearing is different from listening. And, in the world of communications, the superpower of listening is everything. If you’re a good listener, your communications will be more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall crises in a single bound (I had to do it).
 
But what makes a good listener? If you’re a communications leader in your organization or just looking to harness your superpower listening skills within your agency, below are three tips to get you started:

• Let people talk. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve encountered leaders who never take a breath during meetings to allow input from their staff or community partners. Listening is a 2-way street. If you want to be listened to, you must give people a chance to talk.
• Engage effectively. Make strong eye contact. Don’t cross your arms. Use body language that is open and engaging. Try to find common ground in what your audience is saying. Relate on a human level.
• Follow-up in a meaningful way. Repeat what you’ve heard and provide actionable steps that will create leadership and staff accountability. People need and want to know they are being heard. This is vital when dealing with staff and community partner concerns.

 
​For more communications strategies, tips, and tactics, check out my latest blog posts on this site and on Instagram at @lmgpublicrelations.