| This habit is about communicating effectively. We must first understand each other, and I do not think we do this as often as we should. At times I have found my self in a position where I should be listening, but I am actually not because, like Dr. Pumpian mentioned, I am thinking about what I will say next when it is my turn to talk. This is a habit that I must focus on breaking. It is something that I must put first when communicating with others. |
At work, we are always modifying decisions. We make a decision, and frequently it changes by the end of a meeting. By the next day we have forgotten what the final decision was because we were not effectively listening. Perhaps this may just be in my school, but we have great ideas that never come to fruition. One day we spend hours talking about them, and the next day everyone forgets about them. Based on this habit, I would say that the individual or individuals who come up with these ideas lack the habit, “seek first to understand, then to be understood.” How can one teach someone to better listen? | |
As a leader, I would implement ways to ensure that everyone seeks first to understand, then to be understood as this is very important when communicating. One must understand what others are saying in order for one to be understood. Otherwise, the end result will be a collective monologue. There should be mutual understanding.
References
"HABIT 5: SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN ... - Genius." 22 Feb. 2015 <http://genius.com/Stephen-r-covey-habit-5-seek-first-to-understand-then-to-be-understood-annotated>
"Habit 5 Seek First to Understand Then to Be ... - YouTube." 2014. 22 Feb. 2015 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9TvNVqj32M>
"Week 5 Habits - YouTube." 2015. 22 Feb. 2015 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoIz1XY6qSM>