Listen Up

Listen Up!

Why active listening is an essential skill for professional life coaches.

By Jowanna Daley

Though we spend 70 to 80 percent of our waking hours communicating, most people only hold onto 50 percent of a conversation, and it drops to 25 percent 48 hours later. Your ability to listen is tightly related to how well you relate to others. Active listening is where you are not just hearing someone speak. Instead, you are listening to understand the complete message and ensure the speaker feels heard. It means that you must pay attention to the context around the message. It also demonstrates that you care to understand what the speaker is saying, and reputable professional life coaches master this essential interpersonal communication skill. It’s key to building trust and rapport with your clients. Still, there is a time and a place when you actively listen, and it may not come naturally to you. If you take notice, you may at times start formulating a response while someone is speaking. That’s why it’s crucial to learn and practice active listening. Why is active listening an important skill for a professional life coach? People hire life coaches to move forward. If your clients spend their sessions trying to explain the same point repeatedly, they will not share their most intimate thoughts and feelings. It will also put your problem-solving skills in question. Active listening requires more than verbal communication. It requires you to demonstrate to your conversation partners (your clients) that you understand and empathize with their positions. You can show dedication to your clients by: • Maintaining eye contact. • Paying attention to the speaker’s facial expressions. • Asking clarification questions. • Relaying that you understand the message by rephrasing key points. You can learn how to become an effective listener. It not only requires education, but also dedication to practicing active listening techniques. Also, make sure to get continuous feedback from your clients in sessions and through surveys and other feedback mechanisms. BENEFITS OF ACTIVE LISTENING

Can you think of a client or customer that wouldn’t value business owners who are good listeners? It can make a difference on whether you acquire or retain clients. There are so many benefits to paying attention including:

1) Active listening helps you build authentic connections

and relationships. Have you ever shared a personal story only to find the person was not paying attention? It doesn’t feel good. But, on the other hand, when you demonstrate that you genuinely care, people feel a bond and want to build a relationship with you. Clients want to trust you. They’ve come to you because they are looking for an expert who can help them move forward.

2) Active listening also increases productivity and

streamlines problem solving. Clients seek out a professional life coach to move forward with goals and improve their quality of life. It’s essential to pay attention to everything—their intake form, things they casually mention, and their body language. Your client may not know how to articulate what they’re thinking. They may not always know why they’re struggling or what they want. As a coach, you can fast-track their progress by looking out for inconsistencies and affirming progress that they take for granted. As a professional, you must be able to demonstrate with each session why your clients hired you. They are not looking for complex solutions; they want someone to listen and give them insight and expert advice.

3) Active listening helps you avoid misunderstand-

ings and quickly make corrections. Everyone makes mistakes; however, an active listener minimizes misunderstandings. Most importantly, misunderstandings are quickly corrected.

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR ACTIVE LISTENING SKILLS

Active listening is just like any other skill—you must practice it and constantly use it. Use it in both your personal and professional interactions. There are different types of listening, so it’s important to learn the situations that require active listening. For instance, if your client asks you the time, implementing active listening would be over the top and will come off insincere. Clean up. Next, minimize distractions by clearing your area. Make sure your desk is free of distractions. Taking a moment to meditate and clear your mind also helps. Some people start their sessions with affirmation, meditation, or prayer. Train your mind to recognize your pre-session activities. Don’t interrupt. Have you ever had a classmate or coworker interrupt the instructor only to ask a question right in the middle of explaining a lesson? People have different communication styles. Interrupting someone when they speak may indicate that you are in a hurry or insensitive to their feelings. Shut down the inner chatter. Do you find yourself daydreaming, thinking of your next appointment, or remembering you have a question for your client? You can’t engage 27

in active listening when part of you is paying attention to your internal noise. Watch body language and tone. People communicate with their words, tone, and body language. The person’s tone and physical reaction add context to the message. Paraphrase and ask clarifying questions. It’s easy to jump to conclusions when listening to someone. It’s easy to assume what someone meant, but it can cause communication gaps with clients. Make sure you summarize the few key points. And, if you do not understand your client’s response, ask clarifying questions. Here are some examples: • “What did you mean when you said … what did you mean?” • “Why did you feel this way?” • “Can your repeat what you just said?” Active listening is a skill you can learn and perfect over time. It will help further your relationship with clients and understand their problems, which will help guide you on how to coach them. Start improving your communication skills today!

JUNE CONTENT CALENDAR

June is the perfect month to promote wellness, fellowship, and adventure as we approach summertime. Here are 25 holidays to run educational and promotional marketing campaigns. JUNE 1 • DARE Day. DARE DAY is set aside to celebrate the Drug

Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. The DARE program is a school curriculum that teaches students how to resist peer pressure and make wise decisions about drug and alcohol use. The program also teaches students about the dangers of drug and alcohol use. Coaches can use this day to share topics such as the importance of self-confidence in combating peer pressure. • Flipping a Coin Day. Flipping a Coin Day is a way of deciding when you are unsure of what to do. You flip the coin and see what side it lands on—heads or tails. If it is heads, you do one thing, and if it is tails, you do another. This day is perfect to start a month-long challenge. JUNE 4 • National Trails Day. National Trails Day is a celebration of

America’s magnificent trails system. It is held on the first

Saturday of June each year and includes hikes, bike rides, horseback rides, and paddle trips. National Trails Day also features educational programs and stewardship projects, providing an opportunity for people of all ages to connect with and appreciate trails. It’s a great promotional day for wellness and relationship coaches. JUNE 5 • World Environment Day. World Environment Day (WED) is a day set by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to promote global awareness and action for the environment. No matter what type of coach you are, you can contribute to environmental awareness to help turn around alarming trends for our planet. JUNE 6 • National Gardening Exercise Day. National gardening exercise day is a day to celebrate the benefits of gardening and to get outside and get moving. Gardening is a great way to get exercise, and it’s a fun way to spend time outdoors. • National Yo-Yo Day. National Yo-Yo Day is celebrated every year on June 6. This unofficial holiday was created to honor the invention and popularity of the yo-yo. Coaches can use the day to promote life balance or even use the yo-yo to symbolize unhealthy habits. JUNE 8 • Best Friends Day. National Best Friends Day is a day to celebrate your best friend and all they mean to you. Have your group members do an activity such as sharing a picture of themselves with their best friend. • Name Your Poison Day. This Day is a reminder to celebrate and embrace the things that make us unique and individual. Name Your Poison Day is also a day to honor those things that we might consider our vices— the things we enjoy even though they might not be good for us. Whether it’s drinking, smoking, gambling, or eating unhealthy foods, we all have our vices that we indulge in from time to time. Wellness coaches can use this time to promote moderation (or even elimination) of these bad habits.

JUNE 10 • Ballpoint Pen Day. Ballpoint pen day is a day to celebrate the ballpoint pen and its greatness! Ballpoint pens are one of the most popular pens globally, and on this day, we celebrate everything they can do! This day will be perfect for encouraging your audience to write down their goals. • National Flip Flop Day. National Flip Flop Day is a day to celebrate the summer season and enjoy the warm weather. So, put on your flip flops and go to the beach or take a walk outside. Encourage mindfulness activities such as taking a walk or meditating. JUNE 12 • Red Rose Day. On Red Rose Day, people typically give red roses to their loved ones as a sign of love and appreciation.

This day is perfect for relationship-focused promotions. JUNE 13 • National Weed Your Garden Day. National Weed Your

Garden Day is a day to celebrate nature and get your hands dirty! It’s a day to focus on your garden and eliminate any weeds. It’s also a perfect stress-relieving activity.

JUNE 14 • Monkey Around Day. Monkey Around Day is a day to let loose and have some fun. It is a day to act silly and goof off. JUNE 15 • National Nature Photography Day. National Nature

Photography Day is a day to celebrate nature’s beauty and encourage people to appreciate and photograph the natural world around them. This day is also a time to raise awareness about nature conservation and encourage people to protect the environment. Ask your social media audience to share their favorite nature pic. • Smile Power Day. Smile Power Day is a day to celebrate the power of smiles. It is a day to remind people of the importance of smiles and encourage them to smile and spread happiness. Share the scientific benefits with your newsletter subscribers. JUNE 16 • Fresh Veggies Day. This day celebrates the delicious and nutritious produce available during the summer months. Fresh vegetables are a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals, and they can be enjoyed in various ways. JUNE 17 • Eat Your Vegetables Day. This day focuses on eating your vegetables. There are many benefits to eating your vegetables, including getting the nutrients your body needs, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing your risk of certain diseases. Wellness coaches share creative ways for clients to incorporate more vegetables into their diet. • Take a Road Trip Day. Take a road trip day is a day where you get in your car and drive somewhere you’ve never been before. Help promote the way people can explore new parts of your state or country or see new things by going on a cross-country road trip. Pack your camera, snacks, and music to make the most of your day! JUNE 18 • International Panic Day. International Panic Day is a day to celebrate and raise awareness of panic

disorders. It is also a day to promote understanding and acceptance of people with panic disorders. Furthermore, it’s an opportunity to urge people to seek help if they think they might have a panic disorder and share stress-reducing tools. JUNE 19 • Juneteenth. Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas in 1865. It’s a perfect day to celebrate freedom and free themselves of rules that do not work for them or society. JUNE 21 • International Yoga Day. This observation day recognizes yoga’s holistic approach to health and well-being and its potential to promote peace and harmony. • National Selfie Day. Celebrate national selfie day by taking selfies and sharing them with clients, and encouraging them to do the same!

JUNE 23 • Let It Go Day. It’s a day where you can empower people to decide their luck. Let it Go Day is a day where people are encouraged to let go of their negative thoughts and feelings and move on. It is a day to forgive yourself and others and let go of the past. JUNE 29 • Hug Holiday. Hug Holiday is a holiday where people celebrate by hugging each other. Share the common myths of empathy and demonstrate what it is. With the lingering concerns about COVID, show people how they can hug people “emotionally” by practicing empathy. JUNE 30 • National Handshake Day. National Handshake Day is a holiday that celebrates the handshake; a gesture often used to greet someone or to agree to a deal. Business and relationship coaches can throw a networking event or teach people the art of networking.

The Daley Word

with Jowanna Daley

Jowanna is a business and personal coach, consultant, freelance blogger, and personal brand photographer. Jowanna uses her 20-plus years of business, information technology, business analysis, and project management experience to serve solopreneurs, microbusinesses, and professionals through consulting, coaching, training, and workshops. She is also a freelance blogger who serves corporate and non-corporate clients. Visit her website at https://www.jowannadaley.com/about/.