Silence is Golden

Some years ago I was told that the single most influential thing a person can do is listen.

Listening is the Specialist-Generalist’s best friend – you learn, people help you and best of all they feel heard.

Silence is golden…

Managers, Know When to Stop Talking and Start Listening

As a manager, you probably have to talk a lot. You want people to have the guidance and direction they need, of course, and there are plenty of situations where you need to speak your mind. But at some point, talking a lot can turn into overcommunicating. You can end up dominating conversations, which means employees’ perspectives aren’t being heard.

To make sure you aren’t talking too much, listen as much as you speak. When someone raises a question in a meeting, invite others to weigh in before you. In fact, don’t contribute your thoughts until several other people have offered theirs. That way everyone is included and feels that their input is valued. 

Ask employees about their wants, needs, and concerns — and then hush. You may be surprised how much you learn when you’re saying nothing.

Adapted from “Don’t Be the Boss Who Talks Too Much,” by Hjalmar Gislason