Day 3: Practice Active Listening
Focus on listening more than speaking. Practice being fully present in conversations with team members or peers.
Why It’s Important:
Active listening is a crucial skill for effective leadership. It builds trust, strengthens relationships, and improves communication. By truly listening to your team, you show that you value their input, which can increase engagement and morale. It also lets you gather more accurate information, leading to better decision-making.
How to Complete the Action:
Set an Intention: Remember to listen more than you speak before engaging in conversations today.
Practice These Techniques:
Stay Present: Eliminate distractions (e.g., put your phone away, close unnecessary browser tabs if on a video call).
Use Non-Verbal Cues: Nod, maintain eye contact, and show you’re listening with your body language.
Reflect: Paraphrase what the other person has said to confirm your understanding (e.g., “What I’m hearing is…”).
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage deeper discussion (e.g., “Can you tell me more about that?”).
Reflect: At the end of the day, note any new insights or shifts in your team dynamics that result from your focused listening.