![]() ![]() Active listening also achieves the shared understanding required of empathy. Army doctrine recognizes active listening as a prerequisite to effective communication. Given the importance of active listening in Army leadership doctrine, this article will explore how to become a better Army leader by being a better listener. 6 Throughout counseling, the manual places more emphasis on listening rather than speaking. In this vein, FM 6-22 describes how an Army leader actively listens during a counseling session: “Active listening implies listening thoughtfully and deliberately to capture the nuances of the subordinate’s language.” Through this technique, the active listener may discover the imbedded meaning in what the person is saying. Furthermore, empathic listening facilitates the ability of a speaker to fully express his or her thoughts and feelings. Empathy is defined in FM 6-22 as “the ability to see something from another person’s point of view, to identify with and enter into another person’s feelings and emotions, enabl the Army leader to better care for civilians, Soldiers and their families.” Empathy cannot be achieved if we are hearing, but not listening to, what the other person is saying. In addition to the described leadership competencies, active listening could also develop the leadership attributes in FM 6-22, especially empathy. ![]() “To capture the message fully, leaders listen to what is said and observe the subordinate’s manners.” 4 Active listening is an essential component to the leadership competency of “communicates.”4 Leadership doctrine also recognizes that communication is essential to the other seven leadership competencies. 3 “Active listening helps communicate reception of the subordinate’s message verbally and nonverbally,” according to FM 6-22. 2 Field Manual 6-22, Army Leadership, calls this skill active listening. Now that I have resumed a leadership role, I find these theories highly effective in practice.Īrmy leadership doctrine recognizes the importance of listening to those we lead to make better plans and decisions. Throughout my CGSC year, I learned about and reflected on how to be a better leader by being a better listener. ![]() In hindsight, I learned not to assume my subordinates would give me the feedback I need unsolicited. The feedback from my subordinates and peers made me realize that I needed to work on my listening skills. Before the course, I received my Multi-Source Assessment and Feedback survey based in large part from my leadership position preceding the course. I came to this realization during my year at the Army’s Command and General Staff College. Therefore, if effective communication and empathy are leadership traits worthy of development, then developing your listening techniques is a good place to start. A good listener can be an effective communicator as well as an empathetic leader. Understanding how to be a good listener is the key to improving interpersonal relationships. We laugh at Lloyd because he reminds us of someone we know, perhaps ourselves.Īlthough Lloyd provides a humorous example, poor listening skills may lead to more interpersonal conflict than is necessary. The combination of these two deficits creates entertaining interpersonal conflicts. Lloyd does not know he is a poor listener. Lloyd’s lack of listening skills prevent him from understanding the other person’s point of view. In the movie, “Dumb and Dumber,” Lloyd demonstrates how a person can hear what someone is saying without listening to what that person is saying. what was all that one in a million talk? 1” Lloyd: So you’re telling me there’s a chance. Mary: I’d say more like one out of a million. Lloyd: You mean, not good like one out of a hundred? Lloyd: Hit me with it! Just give it to me straight! I came a long way just to see you, Mary. Mary: Well, Lloyd, that’s difficult to say. “Lloyd: What do you think the chances are of a guy like you and a girl like me. ![]()
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