Using Your Ears to Influence

I recently read an article by Tori Rodriguez in Scientific American Mind about how to use your ears to influence people.

'Practice listening without thinking ahead to what you're going to say when someone stops talking.'

In a letter to the editor, a reader added her own thoughts:

'Perhaps assume you will be asking a question and trust that the 'right' question will come to the surface.'

Ask the question. Listen. Trust they have the answer.

Most people simply want to be seen and heard. Do this and you will build trust and respect.

I suspect that the most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention. And especially if it's given from the heart. When people are talking, there's no need to do anything but receive them. Just take them in. Listen to what they're saying. Care about it.

- Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.

Consider the many types of listening which you may be doing or not doing, aware of or unaware of:

• competitive listening
• memory drift listening
• spark listening
• active listening
• empathic listening
• eye listening
• ear listening
• heart listening

If you are interested in reading the short article by Toni Rodriguez, you can find it here:

http://bit.ly/VChuiD