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Authentic Listening

·        "Honor what the person has to say as being important, even if you may not agree with it.

·        Honor the unique contribution and self-expression of every human being.

·        Be open to possibility that every situation and every person around you is your teacher.

·        Give the gift of presence.  Practice the discipline of giving your undivided attention.

·        'Squint with your ears' to hear the fears, concerns, and beliefs present.  'Hear what a person wants to say, what he doesn't want to say, and what he is unable to say without help,' B. Fittipaldi said in New Listening: Key to Organizational Transformation.

·        As Stephen Covey teaches (echoing the words of St. Francis), Seek not to be understood, but to understand.

·        Ask questions to go to a deeper level to clarify, open up possibilities, and uncover unspoken messages.  As you ask questions, stay open as opposed to being judgmental.

·        Express appreciation (Cashman, 2003, p. 289-290)."

Reference:  Cashman, K. (2003).  Awakening the leader within: a story of transformation.  Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Are you living an authentic life?

Awakening the Leader Within is available on loan from the Ohio State University Leadership Center.  A complete listing of all the Leadership Center's resources is available on our website  is available on loan from the Ohio State University Leadership Center.  To borrow this resource or any other resource please go to the resource search page http://140.254.85.212/winnebago/search/search.asp?lib

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Created: 2008-04-03, Updated: 2009-01-09