THE LISTENING LEADER
"Lifting Listening Leadership Awareness and Action Worldwide"
DANGER!! THE INTERRUPTION!!
The following excerpt is from "Time to Think: Listening to Ignite the Human Mind" by Nancy Kline:
What is it about the interruption that is so tantalizing? We seem unable to resist doing it. I once asked a group what they were assuming that made them interrupt their colleagues.
They listed these things:
- My idea is better than theirs.
- If I don't interrupt them, I will never get to say my idea.
- I know what they are about to say.
- They don't need to finish their thoughts since mine is an improvement.
- Nothing about their idea will improve with further development.
- I am more important than they are.
- It is more important for me to be seen to have a good idea than it is for me to be sure they complete their thought.
- Interrupting them will save time,
There is a cost to each of these items. They all can be summed up with the expression - "It's all about me."
LISTENING LEADER LESSON: Why not check yourself in the interruption category? Let others experience bliss by knowing that you will not interrupt them.
[The Listening Leader]
I'm guilty of this far more often that I would like. Especially given my wholehearted belief in Stephen Covey's 5th Habit Seek first to understand, then to be understood. I guess it's just hard.