Two Ears and One Mouth.

I teach business communications every so often at a local post secondary institution. I have sat through thousands of meetings in my 27 years in business. I have heard it all! Yet I am still amazed how many leaders can not listen well, and are really just waiting for people to stop talking so they can begin to talk.

As many people have said before me, we have two ears and one mouth, so we should be listening twice as much as we are talking.

This short little brain dart from McKinsey is a healthy reminder of three simple things all of us can do to be better listeners.

1. Show respect to your audience.

2. Keep quite (the two ears point)

3. Challenge assumptions.

I believe so much great insight is left on the table because people do not listen. I am guilty of this now and then, and this was a timely reminder to me to every so often, just shut up and listen.

Enjoy the read.


McKinsey's article on being a better listener.