Building rapport with co-workers and customers produces long-term career benefits, experts say.
It's time, they say, to listen up.
To get what you want in your career, observe how others process information and what their needs are.
It's especially important when others work for you. Daniel Goldman, author of Emotional Intelligence, says, "To inspire people and move them in the right direction, you have to engage them emotionally." Career success, says Goldman, comes more from the ability to deal with others' feelings than from personal power.
When working with your own boss, you will be more effective if you take time to understand his or her style of communication. One boss might say, "Could you please do this," and it would mean the same as when another says, "I need this done this way." By knowing the boss's communication style, it's easier to know what is needed.
Linguists at Georgetown University say people are never taught how listening works. As they listen, they think of what they will say next or do later. But they should be giving their full attention to what the other person is saying.
When you learn how to listen and observe people, you will be able to build a network of supportive co-workers and customers that will benefit your career.
