Listen, Engage, Create Results

Stephen Covey in his book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People lists one of his seven habits as "Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood". This is habit number five and to represent this habit one must attempt to be a good listner, an empathic listener. 

Have you spoken to someone and you can see by their body language that they are more focused on formulating their response and less on listening to what you have to say. So how do you know when an individual or audience is engaged and actively listening to you? 

When you are listening to someone are you making eye contact? Do you ask questions to clarify what they say and reach a cleaer understanding or are you faking it and only nodding your head in agreement while you are focused on what you will say?

Whether you are a coach, politician, executive or parent are you listening to those who are important to you with the intent to understand them before you ask them to understand you? AskLowell examines how empathic listening will improve relationships with others and increase your effectiveness.