Respect in the Workplace
Recently I spoke to the employees of an organization at their yearly retreat. While I was standing up in front of this group I really learned some lessons that I would like to share with you. The major topics I covered were:
- Seeking to understand others and then to be understood. This is a very effective way to build relationships by building bridges of understanding.
-Listening to create positive relationships and respect.
-Dealing with Conflict in the workplace in a way that encourages a healthy work environment.
With this group a number of people came up to me to talk to me about the part about listening. All these topics are extremely important, but this team really seemed to feel the part about ‘listening’. This could also have been because I really felt that topic that day.
In my opinion listening is one of the greatest gifts you can give another person. Not just hearing… but listening. Life seems to be very fast moving, especially at work these days. People are getting caught up in the fast pace of it all and not listening to each other. Taking a moment to hear about how someone’s day is going is an amazing way to build relationships! Really hearing what they say, and focusing on them while they talk instead of letting the crazy world distract you, is a great way to understand people and show them respect.
It is funny because many people think that the people at a retreat listening to a seminar are the ones that are learning, but I feel like I learn as much from each group as they learn from me. I saw many people put a very thoughtful, self reflective, look on their face that showed that they were realizing that they are guilty of some of the classic mistakes people make when listening….or I guess… not listening. The top three comments that I received the biggest reactions from were:
-Interrupting people when they are talking due to distractions
-Deciding what you think another person is going to say and then hearing that… instead of what they actually say
-Thinking about what you are going to say while the other person is talking… instead of listening to them
Do you do any of these things? Even the smallest changes in your listening skills can make a HUGE difference in your work relationships, your career, your life and in the person that you are.
After doing that presentation I have decided that I am going to use my listening skills with everyone that I work with or know in my personal life … instead of excluding some people that don’t necessarily listen to me very well. I have the ability to listen so I am going to be the bigger person and give them that gift even though they may not give it back. As Gandhi said “We must be the change we wish to see in the world”. J That is my step forward from that presentation.
What change are you going to make in your listening to improve you work and/or home relationships?
Over and Out
April