“Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So, if I’m going to learn, I must do it by listening.” ~Larry King
Most people listen with the intent to reply, not to understand. The art of active listening is essential for positive communication and should be a focus in all relationships. It requires pairing outward behaviors with internal processes. Active listening is important in any communication setting—with family, co-workers, friends, or even strangers—so it’s not a bad idea to learn how to improve your own listening skills.
You can start by altering your outward or “showing” behaviors. Be fully present by setting aside any distractions like your phone, computer, and internal thoughts. Then try holding eye contact for a few seconds to show intrigue in the topic at hand. Other non-verbal cues you may utilize include open body language, smiling, leaning in, nodding, or a combination of the sort.
These small adjustments are some of the simplest changes to improve your communication. To adjust your internal processes, learn to be fully engaged. Showing that you are paying attention to the topic and the speaker is important for meaningful engagement. Asking questions is a great way to show you are following along the conversation and may bring up new insight from the speaker. Try asking open-ended questions as sometimes asking yes or no questions can cause the conversation to lull or pause. Try to withhold any personal judgment or advice when they are talking—unless prompted to. When you are constantly seeking an opportunity to interject your opinions, it might distract from true understanding. This goes together with being patient and letting the other person speak without interruptions. You do not always have to fill the silent space in a conversation. Focus on being intentional and remember to listen to understand, not to respond.
This style of communication is important in all aspects of your life. Having the skills to truly comprehend what people are saying takes time, energy, and effort. That’s why it’s important to find the right fit for yourself when it comes to experts or specialists in a certain field. With financial advising, active listening is required to fully grasp and understand the topics at hand. It’s important to understand where your money is being put and how it is being used. Make sure you are being actively listened to and that you are doing the same for your advisor Being honest with yourself and the advisor helps to make decisions in a productive manner. Because sometimes a financial advisor is not the right fit for you or your family. While active listening is required when speaking to others, it is also required when listening to yourself. Make sure you are trying to understand your own thoughts and feelings and communicate those to your financial advisor.
Active listening shows respect for the other person’s needs, ideas, and opinions. Excellent leaders utilize these listening strategies to understand differing perspectives and encourage collaboration within the workplace. When leaders become a team member, it fosters understanding and trust. Active listening empowers your employees, and it empowers you. In a world where everyone has opinions that want to be heard, it is easy to forget how necessary it is to listen. Start practicing active listening strategies to better your communication skills.
Marilyn Suey
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM
Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor®
Accredited Investment Fiduciary®
marilyn.suey@diamondgroupwealthadvisors.com
Marilyn Suey is a Registered Representative with, and securities and Retirement Plan Consulting Program advisory services offered through LPLFinancial, a registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. Other advisory services offered through Mariner Independent Advisor Network, LLC a Registered Investment Advisor. The Diamond Group Wealth Advisors and Mariner Independent Advisor Network, LLC are separate entities from LPL Financial.CA Insurance License #0E01981
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification mark CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification mark.
Marilyn is the Founder and CEO of The Diamond Group Wealth Advisors. She is a nationally recognized Financial Educator, Author, Speaker, and Wealth Manager, who you may have seen in NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX network affiliates and Yahoo News, Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch, Wall Street Select and others.
Marilyn and her team at The Diamond Group Wealth Advisors have been showing business owners, healthcare professionals, and executives how to accumulate, preserve, and pass on their wealth for almost 20 years. Marilyn developed The Prosperity BluePrint™, a five-step wealth planning process, that includes strategy for Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Preservation, and planning for your ideal retirement lifestyle. She founded the Savvy Women Community where she shares her wisdom and experience with like-minded women. She received an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a degree in Applied Math and Economics from UC Berkeley. To schedule your complimentary Lifestyle Upgrade Assessment, call: (925) 219-0080 or email; marilyn.suey@diamondgroupwealthadvisors.com
