Learn by Listening

Listening well is an acquired skill. STOP yourself from interrupting people before they are finished speaking. How many times have you seen someone who interrupts the speaker before they have been allowed to complete their thoughts? Those folks are forming answers before they even heard what the speaker had to say. First, it is annoying and unproductive and second, if done in a business setting, it can really hurt your career.

I have had the opportunity to watch great executives who sit on various boards with me, and I have learned a tremendous amount from them simply by observing. Listen to the whole presentation before you comment. Most of the time your questions are answered in the presentation if you can just hold your horses and let someone finish. Speak when it is important. You are much more likely to be heard when you use your voice less frequently and only on important issues.

Don’t bring a subject to a board meeting for approval unless you are sure you have the votes to get it passed. Key work needs to be done in committee meetings and consensus should be apparent before it ever reaches the boardroom.

Always gain consensus first.