Summer Camp Leadership: EAR: Three Steps to better Listening

Welcome to the Summer Camp Leadership blog. For those of us who lead summer camps, making a positive difference in the lives of young people is our passion. Turning that passion into a reality, however, takes more than the ability to lead songs, teach archery or plan craft projects. Creating camp experiences that truly transform lives takes leadership. Leadership that creates a vision for the future, leadership that inspires and engages others, leadership that remains focused and stays the course. My hope is through this blog you'll find ideas, inspiration and tools to help you be a great summer camp leader.

Monday, September 10, 2012

EAR: Three Steps to better Listening

David Witt shared a simple, but effective reminder of how to listen effectively in a recent Blanchard LeaderChat post. He suggests leaders need to focus on EAR:

Explore - Start by asking open ended questions.

Acknowledge - Acknowledge what you've heard with comments like "so what you're saying is..." or "What I understand you're feeling is..."

Respond - Only once you're sure you understand the other person's perspective should you respond.

Witt also suggests leaders need to WAIT by asking “Why Am I Talking instead of listening?”