Working Conversations Episode 83:

Be a Better Listener 2.0

Do you ever feel like it is hard to tune in? Like you get hooked by distractions or focused on what people might say next or how they might be wrong?

I know I sure do. We are living in a distracted world. More and more these days it seems that listening is something that’s becoming harder and harder for us to do.

There’s always a barrier. Those barriers differ from one person to the next.

If you’ve been listening to the Working Conversations Podcast for a while now, you probably have listened to episode 10 where I share five strategies to help you become a better listener. Now is the right time to revisit that topic.

I deeply believe that listening is a gift. I did when I recorded that episode and I believe it even more firmly now.

When we focus entirely on the person who is speaking and are free from distractions and give them our absolute undivided attention, we are giving the present of being in the present.

And when we become a phenomenally better listener that means we’re being a better employee, being a better manager, being a better friend, being a better spouse or partner, and being a better family member.

That’s why in this episode, I dig into issues that can get in the way of effective listening and offers strategies to overcome them.

Join me as I review the five barriers to listening that come from external sources and the seven barriers to listening that come from internal sources – that is, inside our own head.

Listen and catch the full episode here or wherever you listen to podcasts. Try to identify at least one issue for you, and see what you can do to address that issue.

Come back to the lists until you master how to overcome these barriers to listening and really being present with others.

If you’ve found this episode helpful, spread the word! Share this podcast episode with a friend whom you might think needs to hear this. Don’t forget to leave a review and 5-star rating, it would mean the world to me.

HERE’S WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DIG INTO IN THIS EPISODE:
1. Five external barriers to effective listening.
2. Seven internal barriers to effective listening.
3. How to overcome the barriers to become an effective listener.

EPISODES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE:

Episode 10: These 20 Minutes Will Make You a Better Listener
Episode 46: All You Have Is Now