On Sharing and Listening

There is a difference between explaining and sharing. 

Yesterday I was asked to share what was happening with me.  Allowing oneself to express in a non-threatening atmosphere, where unconditional acceptance is encouraged, is something I believe to be, the peak of human communication.

Explaining is when you need to justify your actions and behavior.  Sharing is simply a risk of showing who you really are, by expressing an episode of your life.  In the manner by which the listeners would feel and think about what you say, is basically and ultimately, their own experience. 

In coaching, I allow people to share what they feel and think about their situation.  At times, I even postpone bottomlining if by level 3 listening, I feel that the coachee needs to express.  Sometimes, all they need is someone to REALLY listen to them.  Surprising to me is that listening is a skill that is presently being taught by consultants in the US.  Now, doesn’t that say something? 

And I thought we were taught listening all our academic lives.

~ by coachred on July 29, 2008.