Consultancy Skills Toolkit

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        OverviewWorking with ClientsDelivering ProjectsDealing with People

Dealing with People
bullet Listening
bullet How well do you listen?
bullet Levels of Communication
bullet Questioning
bullet Group Communications
bullet Critical Examination
bullet Influencing Styles
bullet Influencing Power
bullet Negotiating - Overview
bullet Negotiating - Planning
bullet Negotiating - Behaviours
bullet Effective Presentations
bullet Chairing Meetings

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Lindsay Sherwin

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How Well Do You Listen?

Discovering your attitude about listening is an important first step towards successful listening. Attitudes determine our behaviour.

To discover your listening attitudes. complete the following exercises. If a statement describes your listening attitude or behaviour accurately, tick ‘Yes’. if not, tick ‘No’. Be hard on yourself

Listening Attitudes & Behaviour
YES NO
1 I am interested in many subjects and do not knowingly tune out dry-sounding information.
2 I listen carefully for a speaker’s main ideas and supporting points
3 I take notes during meetings to record key points.
4 I am not easily distracted.
5 I keep my emotions under control.
6 I concentrate carefully and do not fake attention.
7 I wait for the speaker to finish before finally evaluating the message.
8 I respond appropriately with a smile, a nod, or a word of acknowledgement, as a speaker is talking.
9 I am aware of mannerisms that may distract a speaker and keep mine under control.
10 I understand my biases and control them when I am listening.
11 I refrain from constant interruption.
12 I value eye contact and maintain it most of the time.
13 I often restate or paraphrase what the speaker said to make sure I have the correct meaning.
14 I listen for the speaker’s emotional meaning as well as subject matter content.
15 I ask questions for clarification.
16 I do not finish other people’s sentences unless asked to do so.
17 When listening on the telephone one hand is kept free to take notes
18 I attempt to set aside my ego and focus on the speaker rather than on myself.
19 I am careful to judge the message rather than the speaker.
20 I am a patient listener most of the time.
TOTAL SCORES

The following scale will help you to interpret your present listening skill level based on your current attitudes and behaviour patterns.

  • 1—5 ‘No’ answers     You are an excellent listener Keep it up!
  • 6—10 ‘No’ answers    You are a good listener, but can improve.
  • 11—15 ‘No’ answers    Through practice you can become a much more effective listener in your business and personal relationships.
  • 16—20 ‘No’ answers Listen harder!