How many times do you speak like this?
“Hey Steve, I understand you didn’t follow-through on the customer order yesterday. Can you tell me what happened?”
THEN – when Steve is working on his response, YOU chime in with possible reasons!
“Was something taking too much time instead? Did you forget? Did your assistant drop the ball?”
TIP: Don’t answer a question you just asked someone! Let them answer.
Often there is, what for some, becomes an uncomfortable silence. However, it is not your responsibility to fill the silence. As a matter of fact, it is disrespectful to do so. When you ask a question – wait for the answer. I have worked with those who have an auditory processing disorder and one client who worked with me (to the exclusion of all other professionals) did so because I was the only person who respected her time to find the words to respond without rushing her or guessing at the potential answers.
So, the next time you ask someone for the reason something did or did not occur, or a question of any sort – resist the temptation to provide answers to your asked question. You might be surprised by the response you get – and it just might be something you never could have guessed.
This is harnessing the wonderful Leadership skill of LISTENING.
Want to improve your communication skills? Learn to shut up! It may seem counterintuitive, but interrupting someone while they’re answering a question can hinder effective communication.
Resist the temptation to share your own thoughts at this time. Not only does this show respect for the other person and their thought process, it can also lead to unexpected and insightful responses.
So, the next time you’re in a conversation, practice the art of listening and see how it can improve your communication skills.