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Paying Attention
Multitasking while talking to someone isn't only rude, it's a major waste of time. Studies prove that humans are not able to do two things at once well. Elegant Execs understand there is a big payoff for being known as a great listener. Those who listen well are perceived as being more thoughtful, more empathetic and more intelligent.
The next time you're interacting with a client, whether in person or on the phone, resist the temption to check your BlackBerry, email or Facebook account, and focus on what's being said. As the person speaks, do your best to stay in the moment and listen closely. Our minds tend to wander naturally, and it takes consistent practice to develop solid listening skills.
One tip is to formulate questions in your mind that will help you follow along with what's being said. For example, if you hear, "I'll be coming into town next week...", you would internally formulate the questions, "for what reason?" "when exactly?" and perhaps, "for how long?" Typically, the speaker will finish the sentence thusly: "I'll be coming into town next week, probably Tuesday afternoon, for the Simpson meeting on Wednesday, and I'll take the 6 o'clock train home Friday."
In meetings, ask if you may take notes. Jotting down questions as they occur to you will allow you to listen more closely without interrupting - a major no-no. If your noted questions aren't addressed as the discussion comes to a close, you'll be able to follow up in a more organized and efficient manner.
Here's one more tip: if you're talking on the phone with someone, or sitting through a conference call, reach for the sketch pad. It seems that doodling while listening can actually help you focus and retain more information.
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