Active Listening Techniques

Stop Talking, Start Winning: How Active Listening Seals Oil & Gas Deals A client was ready to sign a multimillion-dollar contract—then we lost them. Why? Because we assumed their biggest concern was cost. We never asked. In the oil and gas industry, deals aren’t won by just having the best product or service. They’re won by the company that listens better. The Mistake Costing You Customers Most professionals listen to respond, not listen to understand—and that’s where they lose deals. Here’s how to flip the script: 🚨 Pause Before You Pitch – Let the client fully express their concerns. Cutting them off signals that their problem isn’t important. 🎯 Mirror Their Words – If a client says, “Our biggest issue is long lead times,” don’t assume they mean price. Repeat: “So lead times are your main concern—tell me more.” This builds trust. 🔄 Reframe the Solution – Instead of jumping in with what YOU think they need, align your response with their concerns: “Since lead times are your priority, let’s explore express delivery options to minimize downtime.” 📌 Follow Up Like It’s a Closing Step – Many businesses drop the ball after the first conversation. A simple check-in, like “Did that solution meet your expectations?” shows commitment. Why This Works Clients don’t just buy products or services. They buy the feeling of being heard. 🔹 If you rush to respond, you lose trust. 🔹 If you dismiss their concerns, they look elsewhere. 🔹 But if you make them feel heard? They stay—and they sign. Have You Ever Lost a Deal Because You Assumed Instead of Listened? Drop your experience in the comments—let’s talk about it. 👇 #OilAndGasSales #B2BNegotiations #ActiveListeningWins

The leadership superpower you’re ignoring: Active listening. Here’s what I’ve learned from years of leading teams: The best insights often come from those who speak the least. As a leader, your job is to hear not just what’s said, but what’s unsaid. Here are 3 tips to become a better listener: 1️⃣ Create psychological safety   ↳ Encourage all voices   ↳ Engage quiet members with eye contact and open questions 2️⃣ Listen between the lines   ↳ Pay attention to pauses, sighs, and body language   ↳ The unsaid often reveals as much as the words 3️⃣ Practice reflecting back   ↳ Paraphrase what you heard and ask clarifying questions   ↳ It ensures you understand the context and meaning The next time you face a challenge, the solution may already be in the room. You just need to listen. P.S. What’s your top tip for listening effectively as a leader? Photo credit: Greg McKeown ——— ♻️ Repost this to inspire your network to be better leaders!  ➕ Follow me Sandra Pellumbi for more. 🦉

Conflict gets a bad rap in the workplace. Early in my career, I believed conflict had no place in a healthy workplace. As I progressed, I realized that it was quite the contrary. The lack of conflict isn't a sign of a healthy work culture, rather it is an indication that important debates, discussions and differing viewpoints are being disregarded or suppressed. This insight revealed another key aspect: high-performing teams do not shy away from conflict. They embrace it, leveraging diverse opinions to drive optimal outcomes for customers. What sets these teams apart is their ability to handle conflict constructively. So how can this be achieved? I reached out to my friend Andrea Stone, Leadership Coach and Founder of Stone Leadership, for some tips on effectively managing conflict in the workplace. Here's the valuable guidance she provided: 1. Pause: Take a moment to assess your feelings in the heat of the moment. Be curious about your emotions, resist immediate reactions, and take the time to understand the why behind your feelings. 2. Seek the Other Perspective: Engage genuinely, listen intently, show real interest, and ask pertinent questions. Remember to leave your preconceived judgments at the door. 3. Acknowledge Their Perspective: Express your understanding of their viewpoint. If their arguments have altered your perspective, don't hesitate to share this with them. 4. Express Your Viewpoint: If your opinion remains unswayed, seek permission to explain your perspective and experiences. Remember to speak from your viewpoint using "I" statements. 5. Discuss the Bigger Objective: Identify common grounds and goals. Understand that each person might have a different, bigger picture in mind. This process can be taxing, so prepare beforehand. In prolonged conflict situations, don't hesitate to suggest breaks to refresh and refuel mentally, physically, and emotionally. 6. Know Your Limits: If the issue is of significant importance to you, be aware of your boundaries. For those familiar with negotiation tactics, know your BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement). 7. Finalize Agreements: Once an agreement has been reached, continue the engagement to agree on responsibilities and timeframes. This ensures clarity on the outcome and commitments made. PS: Approach such situations with curiosity and assume others are trying to do the right thing. 🔁 Useful? I would appreciate a repost. Image Credit: Hari Haralambiev ----- Follow me, tap the (🔔) Omar Halabieh for daily Leadership and Career posts.

Resolving workplace conflicts is a hallmark of exceptional #leadership. It's the fine line between reacting impulsively and responding thoughtfully that sets great leaders apart. In my journey of leadership, I continue to strive for thoughtful dialogue over emotional reactions. This infographic provides invaluable tips to transform workplace conflicts into constructive conversations: https://bit.ly/3Tfy0u6  ➡️ Don’t ignore interpersonal conflicts! Hoping they will go away won’t MAKE them go away. ➡️ Schedule time to understand and resolve the conflict. Meet individually with each person involved. ➡️ Ground your conversation with Active Listening. Listen to UNDERSTAND (versus listening to respond). After each person speaks, reply by saying, “I want to make sure I understand. You are feeling _________ about _________ because _________.” ➡️ Invite the conflicted colleagues to check their assumptions: What are you assuming here? How do you know that is the case? ➡️ Explore BEST and WORST case scenarios:  • What’s the best possible outcome—from your perspective—to this conflict?  • What’s the worst possible outcome? ➡️ Explore compromise positions:  What are possible outcomes or solutions that reflect a compromise? ➡️ Ask the conflicted parties to make a verbal commitment to act. “I agree that I’ll invite you to every meeting on that project. I don’t want you to feel intentionally excluded.” “I agree I’ll follow-up your requests for help by letting you know when I’ll be able to deliver what you need. I don’t want you to feel that I’m being passive aggressive or uncooperative when you don’t get a response from me.” ➡️ Schedule a follow-up meeting to check in and evaluate how the changes are working. 💼🤝 #Mindfulness #Culture 

If you want to be a world-class leader, you need to be a world-class listener. 5 tips to be a better listener: — Active listening is the fastest way you can make all your employees feel heard. When someone feels heard, they’re empowered to: - Trust more - Perform better - Communicate openly We know most founders (guilty here) talk WAY more than we listen. We’re used to giving directions, selling, raising funds, coaching, etc. But that creates a professional divergence on what we actually need to focus on. Now let’s get to the good stuff… — 1. Avoid interrupting Interrupting makes people feel undervalued and can disrupt their train of thought. Let the other person finish their points before you jump in and tell them what you think. Don’t listen just to see what to answer ;) — 2. Ask open-ended questions This encourages people to share more information and express their thoughts and feelings more deeply. 3 questions that are guaranteed to make people open up: “What makes you say that?” “Can you tell me more about that?” “What would YOU do in my situation?” We tend to bias people asking closed q’s like: “would you do A or B”? — 3. Pay full attention There’s no greater way to show someone respect than this. Keep eye contact, remove distractions, and nod & smile when appropriate. And whatever you do, DON’T check your emails or messages. I did it so many times 10 years ago. I hated that burnt-out version of myself. — 4. Listen with your eyes Think active listening is all ears? UCLA research shows that 70-90% of communication is NON-verbal. Body language is crucial in how we convey and interpret messages. Look out for: - Hand gestures - Facial expressions - Posture (closed or open arms/shoulders) Subtly emulate these to build trust. — 5. Relay what you heard This helps make sure you have understood the other person correctly. Repeat back what they said in your own words. “So what you’re saying is…” They’ll correct you if you’re wrong. They’ll feel understood if you’re precise. — As you can see it doesn’t take much extra effort to be engaged and empower others through active listening. The real effort comes for us to shut down the “Problem-Solving Mind” and ACTUALLY listen, without thinking of what to answer. Start implementing this with your team and watch how much their morale is boosted. Got value out of this? Repost ♻️ to share to your network and follow Ignacio Carcavallo for more like this!

"Active listening isn’t hearing. It’s leading." I learned that the hard way. Early in my career, I had poor listening skills. I’d nod along, pretend to understand… Then answer questions I hadn’t even heard properly. Not because I was careless But because I was only listening to reply, not to understand. Fast forward to today, listening is my superpower. It’s helped me build trust, sell more, lead better, collaborate with my team, maintain relationships with customers, solve deeper problems, and connect with people in ways I never imagined. Here’s how I turned things around: 5 skills that made me a better leader, partner, and friend. 🧠 1️⃣ Give Full Attention 🔴 “I’m listening…” (while checking your phone) 🟢 “You have my full focus.” Active listening starts with presence. Eye contact. No distractions. All ears. 🔁 2️⃣ Reflect and Rephrase 🔴 “Okay, got it.” 🟢 “So what I’m hearing is…” This confirms what was said—and makes the other person feel heard. ❓ 3️⃣ Ask Open-Ended Questions 🔴 “Is this what you meant?” (Yes/No) 🟢 “Can you help me understand this better?” Opens the door to clarity, context, and connection. 🤐 4️⃣ Hold Space Without Interrupting 🔴 “Let me stop you right there…” 🟢 Silent nod, patient presence Sometimes, people just need to feel safe to finish their thought. Give them that gift. 💬 5️⃣ Respond Thoughtfully, Not Instantly 🔴 “Here’s what I think…” (rushed) 🟢 “Give me a second to reflect on that.” Powerful responses require pause. Don’t rush wisdom. Key Insight: People don’t remember what you said. They remember how heard you made them feel. Want to lead better? Sell better? Love better? Start by listening better. 👇 Which of these listening skills are you working on right now? Let me know, I want to learn from you. Drop your views in the comments! ♻️ Repost to remind all about the value of active listening. ➕ Samson Akinola for more insights on leadership, customer service, and problem-solving.

Leaders who don’t listen, lose more than words they lose trust. Years ago, a Soldier told me, “I feel unheard.” It hit me like a brick. They weren’t asking for agreement. They were asking for acknowledgment. That moment reshaped how I lead. Listening isn’t passive. It’s active leadership. It builds trust, sparks ideas, and drives growth. Here’s how to elevate your listening as a leader: 1.) Show up fully. → Put down the phone. Look them in the eye. 2.) Ask smart questions. → Replace “Why” with “What” or “How” to dig deeper. 3.) Pause the noise. → Use silence to let insights emerge. 4.) Hear what’s said—and what’s not. → Pay attention to tone, body language, and pauses. 5.) Acknowledge their words. → Simple phrases like “I see what you mean” go far. 6.) Capture their ideas. → Write things down—it shows their input matters. 7.) Follow through. → Listening doesn’t end with hearing—it ends with action. 8.) Be curious. → Assume you have something to learn in every exchange. 9.) Protect their words. → Create an environment where they feel safe to speak. 10.) Practice daily. → Great leaders never stop improving this critical skill. Leadership isn’t about what you say. It’s about what you hear and how you respond. When was the last time you truly listened? Drop your best listening hack in the comments. Let’s build better leaders together. Thanks for reading. (And thanks for reposting ♻️)

A question I hear far too often: “How can I make my team feel heard?” Here are 7 things I’ve learned: 1. Active Listening Make an effort to understand the message behind the words. • Focus on the speaker • Listen without planning a response • Nod, make eye contact, and subtly summarize their points This attentiveness shows genuine concern - they'll know you're fully engaged. Give them the power of your undivided attention. 2. Regular 1:1s Private check-ins make a big difference. They're opportunities to voice concerns or ideas they might not share in a group. Everyone has different needs. Provide individualized feedback and tailored support. Check in on them beyond their job description. 3. Anonymous Feedback Not everyone is comfortable giving direct feedback - it takes practice. Providing an anonymous way to do so can uncover issues you weren’t aware of. Act on this feedback where appropriate, and your team will see that every voice matters. Listen to everyone without bias. 4. Empathetic Responses Empathy in leadership is crucial. Phrases like “I can see how that's frustrating” or “That sounds challenging” validate experiences and encourage further sharing. Don't lead like a robot - show that you have a heart and care. Nothing is as powerful as feeling like you’ve been understood. 5. Encourage Participation Make it known that your meetings are a safe space. Just because you know it doesn't mean others do. No judgment. No fear of being "wrong." It's a refreshing reminder, especially for quieter members who don't often participate. 6. Follow-Up Actions Listening is fundamental, but action speaks louder. • If someone raises an issue or suggestion, follow up on it • If you can’t implement their idea, explain why Show that their input was valuable enough to warrant consideration. Then thank them for it. 7. Regular Team Surveys This has been a game-changer for my team. Craft surveys that cover the entire work-life spectrum. Encourage detailed, open-ended responses. Come back to them in 60 days to assess progress and uphold accountability. Discussing these insights together shows you're truly invested in their needs. Making your team feel heard is about cultivating an environment of trust and openness. It’s a blend of active listening, empathetic leadership, and taking tangible actions based on feedback. When your team feels heard, they feel valued. And a valued team is an empowered team. That's a wrap! If you enjoyed this: 1. Follow me Evan Nierman for more of these 2. Subscribe to my newsletter for more breakdowns like this: https://lnkd.in/g8MF5-6g

WHEN TEMPERS FLARE, YOU'RE LOCKED IN A STALEMATE, OR A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR DEAL IS ON THE LINE, EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY TO TURNING IT AROUND. The right communication framework fosters understanding, strengthens relationships, and drives powerful results within your team. Both personally and professionally, effective communication is key to successful teamwork, conflict resolution, and collaboration. From construction to finance, from fashion to family offices, my high performance clients master the skills to navigate the toughest conversations and transform them into their biggest breakthroughs. And here’s how you can do it too: 1. FRAME THE POSITIVE INTENTION: Start with shared goals. Establish a shared purpose to align your conversation positively and maintain the focus on optimal outcomes. ➡️”We both want [a positive, uplifting relationship].” “This is about us being [happier, more productive].” A positive start encourages cooperation and a safe space for communication. 2. DESCRIBE THE OBSERVABLE: Present facts without emotional interpretation. Focus on specific events or behaviors rather than feelings. ➡️ “When [specific event] happened, I saw [specific observation].” Stick to observable facts and avoid personal interpretations to keep the conversation neutral. 3. SHARE THE FEELING: Express your emotions without blame. Own your feelings without blaming others, and invite the other person to share theirs. ➡️“We both feel [emotion].” “I feel [emotion] about [situation].” Take ownership of your feelings. Express them without pointing fingers and encourage others to do the same. 4. REQUEST THEIR PERSPECTIVE: Invite input and collaboration. Ask for the other person’s perspective to gain insight into their viewpoint. ➡️“How did you see that?” “What did you observe?” Listen actively and be open to hearing the other person’s thoughts, fostering mutual understanding. 5. MAKE THE ASK WITH BENEFIT EXTENSIONS Propose mutually beneficial solutions: Offer choices that meet both parties' needs. ➡️ “If [action] occurs, we would feel [emotion] and [emotion].” “Here are two options that work for me…” Present two acceptable options to empower the other person to contribute to the solution. 6. WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD A CONSENSUS Collaborate on finding the best solution: Work together to determine the best course of action and express appreciation when a decision is made. ➡️ “I appreciate the thought you’ve put into this. I’m glad we agreed on [decision].” By applying my effective communication framework, you foster open, respectful communication that builds trust, enhances collaboration, and contributes to team success. And the great news is that you can use this both personally and professionally! I’m curious… ~When was a time that you needed this framework in your life? #future #communication #success

You ever walk out of a conversation and realize… You heard the words. But you didn’t really listen? I definitely have been here before. I was so focused on responding, fixing, proving… That I missed what people were actually trying to say. So I started using something simple that changed the game for me: The HEAR Framework. Not just to hear people but to understand them. Here’s how it works: H – Help me understand. Instead of jumping to conclusions, ask: “Can you help me understand your perspective?” E – Expand on that. Dig deeper. Get curious. “What else should I know about this situation?” A – Ask for clarity. Make sure you’re not misinterpreting: “Just to make sure I understand are you saying…?” R – Reflect back. Show them they’re heard. “It sounds like you’re saying [repeat their words]. Is that right?” It’s simple. But it’s powerful. Because when people feel heard, they open up. They engage. And trust deepens. Leadership isn’t just about making decisions. It’s about creating spaces where people feel safe to speak. What’s one way you’ve been working on listening better? #LeadershipDevelopment #Communication #ActiveListening #SelfAwareness