Listening: An Audience Perspective
We sit, we click on one video call after another, after another, after another.
What used to be in-person meetings in a conference room are now video calls.
While a lot has changed in the last 6 months, one thing has not -- the need to listen.
We need to listen in our meetings, listen to webinars, listen to the leaders of our teams and companies, and, when we’re speaking, listen to our audiences.
Unfortunately, it’s harder to listen now than ever before.
With the shift to remote communications, we are more likely to be distracted, multi-tasking, or simply comatose from too much screen time. There’s a palpable lack of interpersonal connection on those calls. You can feel it. And as active listening declines, information falls through the cracks--information critical to you, your job, your team, and your company.
It’s always been difficult to listen and even harder to retain information. According to one study conducted at the University of Minnesota, the average human only retains 25 to 50 percent of the information presented to them in person. And with the increased distractions and decreased nonverbal communication inherent to video calls, listening and remembering is even more difficult.
Given the value of listening, it’s easy to say, “Be a better listener,” but it’s harder to execute.
There are, however, tangible ways to improve listening--both as the listener and the presenter. In this issue of the Speaker Soundbite, we will approach listening from the perspective of the audience.
Here are five specific tips for you, as an audience member, to be a more active listener on a video call.
Shut down the distractions. Close your email, turn off your notifications, and put away your phone. Leave temptations at bay.
Go full screen. It might seem simple but expanding your video conference window to be full screen makes a difference. This puts the focus exclusively on the video conference and eliminates the natural tendency to scan other windows.
Cameras on. We hear from so many clients that a lot of their staff turn off their cameras during meetings. By keeping your camera on, you are forcing yourself to be engaged and listening. It’s about accountability.
Signal you’re listening. Look at your camera and nod, smile if appropriate, be active in the chat with on-topic comments, acknowledge the speaker by name, and show them you are listening. Feedback helps bridge the digital divide.
Grab a pen. Active note taking not only provides you with a personally-relevant record of a meeting, it also forces you to be attentive from start to finish. After the meeting concludes, practice summarizing the three or four main points or takeaways. This helps you test if you are retaining important information.
Listening is a critical component of communication, on par with organization, inflection, executive presence, and strategic storytelling. Being purposeful in your effort to improve your listening skills will improve the success of the communications in your organization and on your team. Being a great listener will also get noticed! Listening is a hallmark of great leadership.
But equal responsibility lies with the presenter. Next month we will provide tips on how you, as a presenter, can make it easier for your audience to listen.