Listen to Evaluate

We make bad choices because we don’t listen well. Political campaigns are in gear and soon we will be voting. We must realize the importance of listening well to make good decisions. In addition, we listen regularly to our physicians, clients, vendors, and family members to ponder choices and make decisions.

Here are some suggestions to improve listening to make decisions.

First, listen for evidence. For any point the talker makes there should be an example, statistics, or testimony to prove the point.

Second, evaluate the evidence. Answer some of the following questions as you collect the evidence. Is there a source for the evidence? Is the source credible? Does the evidence relate to the point? Does the evidence seem reasonable to you?

We sometimes act out this step by getting a second opinion from a physician on a medical condition or obtain two or three prices on the model of car we want to buy. Make the same kind of effort intellectually when listening. Check out the evidence.

Third, make sure you understand the options by asking questions. If the person gives you an example, for instance, ask what other examples might apply. If you listen to testimony, ask about the qualification of the one whom he or she quoted. If you’re not sure what decision to make, ask for more evidence.

Finally, consider the source. Is the talker a credible person? Does he or she have a vested interest in the decision he or she wants you to make? What previous experience have you had with information that person has given you? With a trustworthy person, we can give more credence to what he or she is saying.

Sometimes we listen and immediately make a decision. Instead, ask for time to digest the material before deciding. Even a few moments can make a big difference in the quality of each decision you make. Just say, "I’ll call you back in 20 minutes." Internalizing the material you have just taken in is an important part of good listening.

Don’t be guilty of poor decisions because of bad listening habits.  Make good listening an integral part of your life.

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Ponder to Prepare

One of the principles we talk about in our book, From Dull to Dynamic: Transforming Your Presentations, is to spend time pondering what you plan to say in your next speech. Just thinking about your speech while driving your car or walking your dog is a valuable step in preparation. Start preparing far enough in advance of the day your speech will be delivered to spend ample time in pondering the possibilities for your presentation.

Include this part of preparation before you write down ideas. We tend to limit ourselves quickly to written ideas. Thus wait as long as you can before putting thoughts on paper. Talk about your thoughts to a friend or colleague. Just chatting about what you think you might include in the presentation can give you added insight in the pondering stage.

As you read the newspaper or finish reading a chapter in a book, keep in mind examples, statistics, or instances you might include in your speech. Again this involves the thinking-through process that can add depth to your presentation.

If you are stuck in the pondering stage and no new ideas are forthcoming, plan a quiet time in your favorite chair or room and allow your thoughts to run wild. Many years ago I was involved in the Toastmasters Speech Contest. I had to have a new speech at each level and if I got beat, of course, there was no next level. So the pondering stage was crucial to developing new ideas and I knew that this speech might be my last in competition if I did not win at the next level. I remember that one of my most valuable parts of preparation for each speech was seeking new ideas while sitting on our front porch watching cars go by. Ideas just seemed to come to me while sitting on the porch with no particular limitations to my thinking.

Don’t write down your ideas for your next speech as soon as they come to you. Instead, spend time pondering. Thinking time will improve the quality of your ideas and the depth of your presentation.