The simple act of listening can be a powerful tool in understanding someone and conducting effective meetings. CREDIT Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Dzmitry
Active listening is an essential skill for effective leadership and
personal development. For event professionals, it transcends mere
auditory perception. It's a multi-sensory, multi-layered practice
involving presence, attention, and comprehension, delving into the
deeper meaning behind the speaker's words.
Raquel Ark, founder of communication training and coaching
organisation Listening Alchemy, emphasises the significance of
preparation. For event planners, being proactive by anticipating
potential concerns allows them to formulate questions and responses from
the client's perspective, ensuring smoother interactions.
“What is my main intention with this client? How would they feel, or
what would they understand if I ask or say this?” She asks. “Being
prepared helps you be calm and fully present with your client. You might
be surprised at what you learn. You may not agree, but you will close
the gap to understanding.”
Also paramount is to consider the conditions a client needs to be in to be able to listen with ease, she adds.
“Listen first to your client, keeping the focus on them and the
situation, and checking their understanding with short phrases,” says
Ark. “You will notice they will get calmer, or their eyes will light up.
Clearly structuring your messages from their perspective and what they
need to know to make a decision raises the chances they will listen to
you further.”
When the focus is centred on the process of listening instead of the
outcome of the communication interaction, Ark says, professionals will
find that they have a deeper impact, overall feeling better and more in
control.
People are more likely to engage and participate and be excited and motivated, if they feel listened to. And usually, we remember the people who listen to us, not the people who are talking all the time.
Raquel Ark, founder, Listening Alchemy
More than one way to listen
In the recent podcast Listening as a Power Skill for Leaders,
Ark also outlined how listening can be used in many different ways –
including establishing business presence, making people feel valued, and
aiding in impactful decision-making and collaboration.
“People are more likely to engage and participate and be excited and
motivated, if they feel listened to,” she said. “And usually, we
remember the people who listen to us, not the people who are talking all
the time.”
In this vein, Ark recommended building a “listening team”, utilising
different people in one scenario to meet a range of listening needs.
“Often, we want people to listen equally to us as we listen to them;
if you want that you will be disappointed,” she said. “The people I
listen to are not necessarily the ones who listen to me; different
people will listen in different ways. If I need to think of ‘business
action’, I'll get in touch with [certain] people. If it's more the
emotional side, I might ask someone else.”