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What "skill" does Bill Clinton, Oprah, Katie Couric, and Diane Sawyer have in common?

   

 

    It is the skill that separates the near great from the great.  It's the skill that made television personalities like Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric, and Diane Sawyer successful.  It also what insiders and outsiders said of Bill Clinton throughout his political career.  

People said of these four people, when they were talking to you, they were so focused in on you and what you were saying, as if you were the only one who mattered to them.  And it didn't matter whether the cameras were on or off.

What is this skill that defines them? Listening.  These 4 people are known around the planet to be world-class listeners.

   Marshall Goldsmith said, "80 percent of our success in learning from other people is based upon how well we listen.  In other words, success or failure is determined before we do anything." 

World-Class Listening TIps from Marshall Goldsmith:

1. Listen with respect.
2. Think before you speak.
3. Don't interrupt.
4. Don't finish the other person's sentence.
5. Don't say "I knew that."
6. Don't get distracted (yes, we are talking to you ADD adults out there).
7. Eliminate any strivings to impress the other person with how funny or smart you are.  

Bad Boy Leadership...Hearing Without Listening

Steve Sample, in his book The Contraian's Guide to Leadership, writes, "The average person suffers from three delusions: (1) that he is a good driver, (2) that he has a good sense of humor, (3) that he is a good listener.  It is my humble opinion that I (jamey johnson) believe I suffer from delusional tendencies in all three areas!

However, I know I'm a good driver because everywhere I go people tell me I'm #1 (they wave a certain finger at me (middle), and wave to me I'm #1).  Anyhow, it is my experience that many leaders are really terrible at being good listeners (especially pastors); talking seems to be more important for many leaders.  For example, have you ever experienced this when talking to a leader: they were distracted, gave you no eye contact, they kept looking around the room, and seemed to be in this (leadership) daze. Effective leadership engages in the art of good listening.

John Maxwell, in his book Leadership Gold,writes, "The positive benefits of being a good listener are much more valuable than we recognize...when we hear without really listening, our leadership is bound to suffer--and so with our followers."

Jim Lange, in his book Bleedership, tells a funny story when "we hear without listening":

A couple of rednecks are out in the woods hunting when on of them falls to the ground.  he doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are rolled to the back of his head.  The other guy whips out his cell phone and calls 911.  He frantically tells the operator, 'Bubba is dead!  What can I do?'  The operator, in a calm, soothing voice says, 'Just take it easy.  I can help.  First, let's make sure he's dead.'  There is silence, and then a shot is heard.  The guy's voice comes back on the line and say's, 'Okay, now what?