characteristics of effective listening skills

Perhaps more importantly, officers who are approachable professionally are by extension showing themselves to be approachable personally. Try not to be the officer who nobody sees all day. To combat this, an officer should have time dedicated in their personal battle rhythm to being out and moving around. Today’s officer corps often feel tethered to their computers and email. Listening means getting out of your office and spending time with your team. If a better one comes along it should be embraced enthusiastically. Officers should not be emotionally attached to their ideas. Before you make any final decisions on a course of action, ask for feedback and consider the counsel offered with an open mind. Remember, the rank you hold requires that your orders be followed, but does not necessarily mean your idea is the best one. However, those who keep an open mind and seek advice will likely succeed in mission planning and execution ahead of their peers.Įffective listeners are humble and teachable. Because it is up to the officer to make the final decision at their level, listening does not necessarily mean you must follow all given counsel. Listening to gain perspective on assigned missions or tasksĪn officer who demonstrates by their actions an attitude of willingness to listen will have a more cohesive team and greater mission accomplishment. But first, you must be approachable and willing to listen.” These team members can provide historical examples of past issues and help guide your decisions. Every team has experienced members that are an extremely valuable resource. Troy Lord, a CH-47 Flight Engineer with the Texas National Guard’s 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion, guides a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, as Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery, hook up a 105mm Howitzer during an air assault exercise on Fort Hood.

Characteristics of effective listening skills